HILLSBORO: Hesston edges harriers for first
The ongoing saga continued between the Trojan cross country team and its MCAA-league rival Hesston Swathers Oct. 8 at the Ellsworth meet.
To add fuel to a fire that should be an inferno today when the Trojans compete at the league meet in Hesston, the Swathers bumped Hillsboro for the top spot at Ellsworth out of 16 competing schools.
"We were disappointed to finish second behind Hesston at this meet," Trojan coach Brian Kennell said. "Our goal going in was to win the meet and they ran very well to win it."
After two weeks worth of disappointing finishes, Aaron Yoder got back on track, taking first in 17:39.
What would a race be without one of the Yoder twins finishing hot on the other's tail?
That was again the case Thursday with Daniel finishing as runner-up, just 4 seconds behind Aaron.
"We had several individuals run very well," said Kennell. "Aaron Yoder won the meet. He did not finish quite as well as he'd hoped the past two weeks so it was good to see him finish strong. It's exciting to have them finish one and two."
Sophomore Kody Borg had a breakout day, speeding up nearly 1:30 since last year to take ninth in 18:29 to earn a medal.
Karl Magnuson and Nick Unruh suffered disappointing finishes in 32nd and 46th, respectively.
"Karl and Nick did not run as well as they had hoped," Kennell said. "They will be focused on getting in form at league."
Trojan junior varsity runners Sammy Espada and Daniel Bookless also enjoyed progressive days, finishing with season-best times.
Merely a freshman, Daniel Bookless came in 39th in the varsity race at 20:15.
Espada came in third in 20:00, 58 seconds quicker than seventh place finisher Billy Winegarner.
Today's league meet begins at 4 p.m.
"The next three weeks are what we focus on and look forward to all season," said Kennell. "It was close (Ellsworth meet) and we expect it to be at league, but hope to be on the winning end. We've won this meet the past two seasons and our goal is to win it a third time."
Varsity results
1. A. Yoder, 17:39. 2. D. Yoder, 17:43. 9. Borg, 18:29. 32. Karl Magnuson, 19:42. 39. D. Bookless, 20:15. 46. Nick Unruh, 20:31. 52. Michael Bookless, 21:05.
Junior varsity
3. Espada, 20:00. 7. Winegarner, 20:58. 36. Michael Fisher, 25:18.
