Trojan harriers snag fifth in 3A
Hillsboro boys' cross country team finishes in state's top five for fifth straight time
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
The deck was stacked against the Trojan cross country team from the start of the 2004 season.
With the loss of the Yoder twins, Aaron and Daniel, few would have expected Trojan coach Stuart Holmes and his team to continue at the level of excellence Hillsboro has enjoyed the past four seasons.
They couldn't have been more wrong.
Looking to take Class 3A by surprise, the Trojans did just that Saturday at the state meet in Wamego.
Sure Hillsboro placed its lowest the past four years with a fifth place finish, but it's hard to argue the Trojans aren't one of the state's top programs.
With 141 points, the Trojans secured a top five finish for the fifth consecutive year.
The Ellsworth Bearcats dethroned the 2003 champion Kansas City Christian, scoring 59 points to cruise to a comfortable win.
The Holcomb Longhorns were the runner-up, 39 points in back of the champion, while the 2003 champ took third with 103 points.
Three points were all that separated the Trojans from a fourth place finish taken by the Lakin Broncos.
Keep in mind the Trojans had to compete without one of their standout runners, Ric Johnson, who was lost for the year a week before the season started.
"The team was still able to finish fifth which is the fifth straight year to in the top five at state," said a proud Holmes. "After losing Ric before the first meet, the guys surprised a lot of people and still had a great season."
While a pair of seniors' careers came to an end Saturday, Hillsboro's underclassmen runners got experience that should pay off down the road and keep the program near the top of 3A.
Running his final race, Kody Borg posted the best finish for Hillsboro, a 17th place time of 17:38.52.
"I was especially happy for Kody on Saturday as he finished his senior season with a gutsy race to earn his first individual state medal," Holmes said.
Also closing out a spectacular career was Westie Magnuson, who finished 32nd at 18:20.08.
"Just like at league, our seniors led us and I want to recognize them both for their fine cross country careers," said Holmes.
One Trojan Holmes will be relying on heavily next season is his son, Nate. Hampered throughout the year by a muscle injury, the sophomore Nate still ran a 46th place time of 18:36.83.
Battling a windy day and hilly course, junior Daniel Bookless showed he's also likely to be a cornerstone next season.
Bookless' 58th place time of 18:44.59 was just six seconds shy of his personal best.
With outstanding performances by sophomore Sean Leihy and freshman Cody McMillen, Stuart Holmes will continue to have much to look forward to for years to come.
Leihy and McMillen were 59th and 60th with respective times of 18:46.19 and 18:47.86.
"These two young runners have made great contributions to the varsity team," said Stuart Holmes. "While only 15 and 14 years old, they should return even stronger next year."
Joining McMillen in making a debut at the state meet, junior Robert Jost rounded out the six-man field for Hillsboro.
Jost took 99th out of 104 finishers in 20:46.30.
"The guys ran with a lot of determination and effort," Stuart Holmes said. "People who have seen us run this year knew that we didn't run as well as we have the last few weeks.
"Once again, the effort was terrific, but some days, you just run better than others. The work and effort of the runners is what is seen at meets as it should be. But certainly the support of parents has been one of the keys this year as the guys have surprised a lot of people and had another very successful season."
