Trojan runners ready
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports Writer
After a tune-up run at Ellsworth this past Tuesday, the Hillsboro High School cross country team will be well-rested and ready for the league championships, which begin at 4 p.m. Thursday, in Ellinwood.
In last week's meet, the Trojan boys placed second behind Abilene after fourth and fifth-place finishes, respectively, from Cody McMillen and Sean Leihy. The boys' junior varsity team also took second, six points behind Hesston.
For the varsity girls, Jessica Elliot ran an eighth-place time of 19:12 to help the varsity team finish sixth, despite not having enough runners for a team score.
"In spite of the windy and hot conditions on a very hilly course, the kids had one of their best meets of the year," said Trojan cross country coach Stuart Holmes. "They should feel good about the effort they gave.
"Today's conditions required a lot of mental toughness and our kids were prepared."
In the girls' junior varsity race, Brittany McInnis placed second and took home her first medal ever, giving the her team third place.
Also highlighting the meet for the junior varsity boys was a tough fight for fourth place between teammates, Michael Hiebert, David Loewen, and David Ratzlaff, who finished fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively. Zach Magnuson came in ninth to earn his very first medal, too.
"It was neat to see Brittany McInnis and Zach Magnuson earn their first cross country medals ever," Holmes said. "They both ran well along with a number of others like Jessica Elliot, and J. Michael Hiebert.
"This meet and the Wamego meet have both been good finishes for the varsity boys overall with Johnny and Nathan (Vogel) running especially well at Ellsworth. They sure seem to be improving just in time for the big races at the end of the season."
