Plainsmen harriers compete at Ogallala and Kearney

BY EMMALEE PARSLEY STEVENS

GRANT TRIBUNE SENTINEL

The Perkins County Plainsmen cross country teams logged an impressive week of competition, racing at Crandall Creek Golf Course in Ogallala on September 25 and at Kearney Country Club on September 29.

Ogallala

At Ogallala, senior Elijah Goodell delivered a standout performance, placing first overall with a blazing time of 15 minutes, 39 seconds. His run not only secured the individual title but also set a new Perkins County school record while breaking the Ogallala meet record previously held by Mason McGreer (2023). Teammate Ethan Swesey earned a 10th-place finish in 17:31 as the boys’ team placed fourth overall in the standings.

The Lady Plainsmen were led by Madison Potts, who claimed seventh place. The girls’ team earned a sixth-place finish against a competitive field.

Head coach Tristan Stephenson praised both the performances and the effort in challenging conditions. “Ogallala was a good day to run. Facing competition we don’t normally get to see, like Gothenburg, Chadron, and Minden, makes for a good racing day. The kids were pushed for this meet. We had an idea what the weather was going to be like, but almost 80 degrees is still warm to run! Combating that while still fine-tuning racing strategies made for a good learning experience. All this to say some times were a little slower, some were right on, and some runners still ran their personal best. It is worth mentioning that Elijah Gooddell ran 15:39.47, almost a 4-second improvement on his best time, claiming the win at Ogallala as well as the meet record and a new Perkins County Schools men’s 5k record. Even better than all of these things was the team support our runners had for each other. The season is bright!”

Kearney

The momentum carried into Kearney on September 29, where Goodell once again claimed first place in his class A category, continuing his stellar season. In the Class D division, the other Plainsmen boys also showed well with Sweezy placing 15th with a time of 18:13 and the team placing 10th.

The Perkins County girls put together one of their strongest showings of the season, finishing fourth as a team. Potts once again paced the group, running 21:15 for another seventh-place finish.

The Plainsmen will be back in action on their home course at Pheasant Run Golf Course in Grant on October 9 at 3 p.m.