Colton Pouk (above) and Meredith Gloy improved their times compared to last year at the NPSP race by over 10 seconds. Pouk placed 2nd and Gloy took 13th on Thursday.
PC cross country team brings home three medals from opening meet
The Perkins County cross country season kicked off with the North Platte St. Pat’s Invite at River’s Edge Golf Course Thursday, Sept. 2.
There were 11 schools in attendance with a total of 59 boys and 45 girls competing at the high school level.
“We thought we would have some luck and draw a cool day for the St. Pat’s meet this year,” said coach Seth Burge. “But by Thursday afternoon it was hot and humid. Not the ideal weather to run in, according to our runners.”
The heat and humidity along with first race nerves put some of the runners’ time goals out of reach, but according to Burge the team ran well regardless.
Overall, the boys placed third as a team, and the girls fifth. Burge noted how it was exciting to see a girls team score for the first time since 2017.
Senior Colton Pouk and junior Meredith Gloy, returning team members, each showed improvement over their time last year. Pouk decreased his race time by 16 seconds, and Gloy by 13.
Freshmen Mason McGreer and Brock Tines, as well as Pouk, ran smart races to put their team in third place, according to Burge.
Sophomore Ava Reese, Burge said, “definitely showed up to her first meet,” and was close to 15th place in the first mile, finishing in 20th overall. Senior Hallie Fisher and her sister, sophomore Maggie Fisher also placed in the top 30, making it a good first race for the both of them as well.
Three runners for the Perkins County cross country team brought home medals Thursday: Pouk (2nd), McGreer (12th) and Gloy (13th).
NPSP Invite Results
Boys: Colton Pouk, 2nd, 18:21; Mason McGreer, 12, 19:46; Brock Tines, 27th, 21:34; Brient Wood, 45th, 24:00; Johan Mireles, 54th, 27:17; Jordan Mireles, 57th, 28:42.
Girls: Meredith Gloy, 13th, 24:39; Ava Reese, 20th, 25:46; Hallie Fisher, 23rd, 26:55; Maggie Fisher, 25th, 27:31.
Next Action
Next, the Plainsmen cross country team will head to the Imperial Country Club for Chase County’s meet Thursday, Sept. 9.
“Chase County is one of my favorite meets,” Burge said. “It’s close to home, mostly flat, well-organized and a spectator-friendly course.”
Burge also noted they will be seeing more competition outside Perkins County’s own district over the next four meets.
Teams invited to Chase County include Bertrand, Cambridge, Chase County, Dundy County-Stratton, Hershey, Hitchcock County, Maywood-Hayes Center, Mullen, North Platte St. Pat’s, Ogallala, Paxton, South Platte, Southwest, Sutherland, Wallace and Perkins County.
Races will begin at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.