League meet a success for Hillsboro runners
With a second-place finish Thursday at the Mid-Central Activities Association meet at Hoisington, the Hillsboro High School boys' team solidified its fourth-place state ranking. The Trojans finished behind Sterling, the top-ranked team in the state at the 2A level.
The girls' team was fifth out of six teams, and had some runners step up as well.
"Both the girls' and the guys' teams performed well," head coach Stuart Holmes said. "Many of the kids gave a supreme effort."
That would include Cody McMillen, who finished second in the boys' 5K race with a time of 17 minutes, 18 seconds. It was the fourth straight year the senior earned a medal at the league meet.
"[That's] Quite an accomplishment," Holmes said. "In addition, he is competing at a high level at the end of the season, and ran a smart race of staying with his competition and then making a move to pull away."
Nicholas Mueller also earned a medal for the boys' team by taking seventh place after a time of 18:33.
"Nicholas is one of our best runners at preparing himself mentally to compete, and that makes him a great asset," Holmes said of the two-time league medalist.
Nathan Vogel was the next to finish, coming in 18th with a time of 19:12. Following Vogel were Brandon McMillen (19:16, 20th), Matthew Klenda (19:25, 25th), Johnathan Christian (19:43, 30th), and Cody Blackletter (20:19, 46th).
It was the eighth year in a row the team has finished in the top two at the league meet.
"[That] is a credit to the guys' dedication to their running," Holmes said.
The meet prepared the team well for Saturday's El Dorado regional, but the athletes will have to be at their best, as the competition will be stiff.
Wichita Trinity, first in the state, and Southeast of Saline, third, will be at the meet, along with a Marion squad that earned a vote this past week in the 3A state rankings. The Trojans are currently ranked fourth at the 3A level.
"I expect our guys will show up ready to compete, and should run especially well," Holmes said.
The girls' team did not fare as well as the guys, but Heidi Schroeder did earn a ninth-place medal in the 4K race, after finishing in 20:37.
"Heidi should feel good about medaling at league," Holmes said. "She has battled through a minor back injury
Jessica Elliott was not far from a medal, finishing in 18:56, good enough for 20th place.
Abi Humber (19:28, 25th), Clara Enns (19:51, 29th), and Krista Benda (20:37, 38th), rounded out the girls' varsity squad.
The regional girls' race will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the boys' race will start at 11. The top three teams, and top 10 runners not on those teams will qualify for the state meet.
JUNIOR VARSITY RESULTS
BOYS
David Ratzloff - 20:00, second.
Jonathan King - 20:33, fourth.
Alex Jost - 20:33, fifth.
Nick Carlson - 21:45, 13th.
Tyrel Blecha - 21:54, 17th.
Michael Christian - 22:15, 21st.
Lance Kliewer - 24:55, 41st.
