Boys’ team claims third and fifth at two meets

Three Perkins County male runners finished in the top 20 to contribute to their third place finish at the Ogallala Invite on Sept. 1. Eighteen Class B and C schools were represented at the race. 

Out of 90 varsity runners, Caden Waitley captured sixth place with a time of 17:44.4. 

Jaden Dietlein ran the 5,000-meter race in 18:25.9 to earn an 11th place medal. 

Improving his time from the first meet of the season by 50 seconds, Nathan Kemling ran a career personal best and placed 13th with a time of 18:36.3.

“Medaling at Ogallala is quite an accomplishment,” said Coach Paula Wurst.

The top four runners scored 62 points for their third place finish. Wurst said Jarin Tines’ fourth position finish in 32nd place was also equally important to the three medalists. 

“Jarin raced hard and passed several runners in the last kilometer, running a PR for this season,” she said

Hailey Snyder placed 22nd out of 75 varsity runners with a time of 23:28.9 and a season personal best.

“I feel that everyone is working hard to race well!” said Wurst.

Kearney

The team traveled to Kearney on Monday, Sept. 25 for the UNK meet. 

Wurst said it was a good day with soggy, cool temperatures which was helpful for course, season and career personal bests. 

The boys placed fifth out of 39 teams. Waitley and Dietlein medaled sixth and 14th respectively out of 293 runners. 

Next action 

The runners will host the Perkins County Invite on Thursday, Oct. 5 at Pheasant Run beginning at 4 p.m.