Perkins County harriers run at state
BY EMMALEE PARSLEY STEVENS
GRANT TRIBUNE SENTINEL
The Perkins County Cross County team traveled to Kearney, Nebraska on October 24, a cool and misty day, to compete at the state cross country meet. Both the girls and boys teams qualified at the district meet on October 16.
The girls team was the first girls cross country team since 2014 to make it to the state level. “The girls had not qualified a team for the state meet since 2014, and so it was exciting to bring them,” said head coach Tristan Stephenson. Madison Potts, Savannah Miller, Haylea McGreer, Brenna Colglaizer, and Hannah Bishop made up the team. Collectively, Lady Plainsmen placed 11th, despite the tough competition. Potts took charge and improved her personal best time by close to forty five seconds. 20 minutes 25.2 seconds is a new record for the women’s 5k at Perkins County High School. “They came not only to run, but to compete. The final team score for the girls was 97. This was good for 11th place, but 10 teams (6th-15th) were in the 84 to 111 point range, meaning we were in the mix of some good competition. Any slight changes would mean huge shifts in placements.” said Stephenson.
The boys team ran exceptional as well. They were made up of Elijah Goodell, Ethan Swesey, Logan Barry, Cooper Kroeker, and Leighton Fryzek. Collectively, the team placed 7th in the standings. Individually Goodell, placed second in the Class D category, even though he was fighting illness. “Eli consistently ran low 16-minute times this season, improving his own personal record as well as the Perkins County High School 5k record for the men, lowering that bar to 15:39.5,” Stephenson said.
Stephenson reflected on the team’s eagerness to do better. “Reflecting on the times from both the women and the men, I was incredibly happy for them, even if team or individual placements were not what they wanted. I am encouraged that they are hungry to do better, but the fact that nearly every single Perkins County runner raced faster than they ever had on this particular course meant they did what they needed to and gave it all they could.”
Plainsmen Harriers have wrapped up their season. While most of the team will have the chance to run the courses again next year, Perkins County seniors will be moving on. Seniors on this season’s team included Gavin Kohmetscher, Cooper Kroeker, Trevyn Tucker, Hannah Bishop, Brenna Colglazier, and Madi Swesey. “We give thanks to those who are now done with cross country for Perkins County. This year and these teams were memorable and fun. Running not only shapes people as athletes but also in their character. These individuals are closer and stronger after the state meet than they were before this season. This chapter closes, but it will not be forgotten. We also give thanks to the community for the support that these runners have received throughout their season. We live in a special place in the United States,” praised Stephenson.