Plainsmen runners headed to State

The Perkins County cross country team cleaned up at the district meet last Thursday, Oct. 14 in Bertrand, qualifying the boys team and individual runner Meredith Gloy from the girls team.

Coach Seth Burge said it was a bit cold when they arrived at the meet, but about 15 minutes before the girls race the sun came out and it became the perfect weather for running.

There were 55 total runners in the girls race, and 64 in the boys, and not only did Perkins County’s boys team take first place overall, but the team also managed to have three runners score in the top 15: Colton Pouk in third, Mason McGreer in fifth, and Meredith Gloy in 15th.

“It was so exciting for everyone!” Burge said. 

“Watching Meredith climb through the race and pass runners to put herself in a position to qualify for state was awesome.  Meredith has worked so hard the past three years for the chance to qualify and run at state cross country and it finally happened for her. Not by chance, but by hard work and determination on her part.”

Burge also noted the boys team knew they were ranked first place in the district going into Thursday’s meet, but they knew it was a close ranking between the top four teams and there was a chance they wouldn’t qualify if they took it easy at districts.

“All five boys ran absolutely lights out, all achieving personal record times, and put themselves in the perfect position for the lowest score in the district,” Burge added.

 “It was awesome to see the joy and accomplishment in those boys’ faces as they were announced as district champion.”

Pouk, a senior at PCS, will be competing at state for the third time. 

He placed 53rd at State his sophomore year, and 31st his junior year. Burge said Pouk has had a long-time goal to medal at the state meet and has worked really hard this season to set himself up for success.

This will be the first State race for Gloy as well as the other members of the district champion boys team, which includes McGreer, Brock Tines, Brient Wood and Parker Tille.

Burge said the three freshman boys on the team all had a great first year of cross country.

“Mason is the fastest freshman in our district and is a very talented runner. We don’t see many freshmen as fast as he is,” he said. 

“Brock is also setting himself up to be a top runner by the time he is an upperclassman. As a comparison, he is running just as fast as Colton ran his freshman year.”

Burge added he is also proud of Wood and Tille for buckling down at the end of the season and focusing on helping their team win a district championship.

He was also impressed by the girls team, Ava Reese, Hallie Fisher and Maggie Fisher, who all earned personal best times at the district meet.

“Ava is showing the kind of grit that it takes to medal at meets and eventually qualify for State herself,” he said. 

“I am really looking forward to having Ava and Maggie return next year.”

Overall, Burge said he feels all the Perkins County runners and fans had a winning attitude on Thursday, making it a fun day for everyone.

District Results

Boys: Colton Pouk, 3rd, 17:38.54; Mason McGreer, 5th, 17:51.15; Brock Tines, 20:23.32; Brient Wood, 49th, 22:13.75; Parker Tille, 50th, 22:16.84

Girls: Meredith Gloy, 15th, 22:38.16; Ava Reese, 33rd, 24:37.92; Hallie Fisher, 39th, 25:59.41; Maggie Fisher, 42nd, 26:24.62.

State at Kearney

The State cross country meet will be at the Kearney Country Club Friday, Oct. 22.

The Class D girls race will start at 11 a.m. MT, and the Class D boys race is set to start at noon.

The awards ceremony will begin immediately following the preceding race for each class, and will be held near the finish line.

For directions, shuttle information, lodging information and other details about the State meet, visit the NSAA’s website at nsaahome.org.