By Shari Friedel
Tribune Staff
A hilly course and tough competition greeted the Perkins County cross country runners at the most recent meet in McCook on Thursday, Sept. 17, which included schools from all four classes.
Perkins County girls were not able to produce a team score, with only three runners participating. Jessi Hoffert and Erica Howard were unable to compete due to illness.
Perkins County boys finished in 11th place with a team score of 195.
Josh Sexson also deferred on this competition, nursing a hip injury.
“It is excellent for us to be there, racing with the big schools, mentally as much as anything,” said Coach Paula Wurst. “Each runner may not be as far up in the pack as he or she is accustomed, but still has to race hard.”
Freshman Rassel Hausman demonstrated this concept perfectly as he kept up with upperclassmen from A and B schools, finishing at 22nd.
Ashley Kemling medaled ninth, running a smart race moving up in the pack at an aggressive pace, said Wurst, and Brooke Poppe also ran a noteworthy race, finishing in the 29th spot and running well.    
Enjoying their first cross country competition were foreign exchange students Pierre Schmitt and Markus Wehrmann.
Girls Results
Team Scores
1. McCook    23
2. North Platte    46
3. Holdrege    54
4. Dundy Co    60
5. NPSP    86
6. Cozad    88
7. Hershey    129
8. Chase Co    140
9. Decatur, KS    147
Top 15 medalists
1. Ashley Ogborn, NP    15:18
2. Jessa Sughroue, McC    15:57
3. Gabby Mullanix, DC    16:09
4. Kelsea Geschwenter, McC    16:32
5. Natalie Poppe, NP    16:36
6. Emily Tolliver, McC    16:42
7. Mariele Drobnitzky, DC    16:58
8. Ashley Kemling, PC    17:05
9. Emilyne Nichols, McC    17:13
10. Haley Harpham, McC    17:25
11. Jobi Hasenauer, May    17:35
12. Megan Kreutzer, Hol    17:42
13. Mandy O’Malley, NPSP    17:45
14. Francesca Perosa, Og    17:51
15. Maggie Vinton, NPSP    18:00
Other PC Finishers
27. Brooke Poppe    19:10
46. Krystal Gaar    21:47
Boys Results
Team Scores
1. North Platte    13
2. Ogallala    30
3. Cozad    89
4. Chase Co    98
5. Holdrege    102
6. Dundy Co    106
7. NPSP    126
8. McCook    138
9. Cambridge    139
10. Decatur KS    157
11. Perkins Co    195
12. Maxwell    218
13. Sutherland    249
Top 15 Medalists
1. Brady McGuire, NP    16:50
2. Bryan Hill, NP    17:18
3. Sam Adams, Og    17:21
4. Rick Poppe, NP    17:35
5. Jerod Schoneman, Hol    17:47
6. Mateo Wilcox, NP    17:55
7. Dereck Rosad, Coz    18:15
8. Harry Adams, Og    18:22
9. Dillon McKeag, Og    18:22
10. Shad Krajewski, Og    18:28
11. Tyler Talbot, CC    18:29
12. Sean O’Malley, NPSP    18:29
13. Michael Haws, NP    18:33
14. Brian Custer, Cam    18:34
15. Levi Swenson, DC    18:35
PC Finishers
22. Rassel Hausman    19:08
57. Seth Burge    22:02
58. Jake Sexson    22.13
62. Brian Krajewski    22:29
67. Markus Wehrmann    23:52
69. Mark Hanson    23:54
39. Pierre Schmitt (JV)    23:28
54. Zac White (JV)    27:17