With a second place finish as a team, the Lennox High School girls’ varsity cross country team found success in the opening meet at Beresford on Friday, Aug. 30.
Leading the way for the Orioles was Ali Bainbridge, who won the meet with her time of 18:51.95 in the 5K. Emily Plucker took fifth with a time of 20:09.87, Alicia Ruud 25th with a time of 21:47.81, and Esther Christian 47th with a time of 24:28.11. There were 72 runners competing.
The LHS boys’ varsity team placed fourth with Sam Swanson and Caleb Sayler leading the way in the 5K race. Swanson, an eighth grader, took 24th with a time of 18:29.02. Sayler finished 25th with a time of 18:41.72. Mason Miller took 38th with a time of 19:16.61, Jaren Hartman finished 45th with a time of 19:31.68 and Levi Steever took 57th with a time of 20:16.09. There were 87 runners competing.
In Junior Varsity action, Kelsey Schmidt led the way for the Lennox girls taking 15th with a time of 18:05.01 in the 4K race. Madeline Loewe took 55th (21:00.06), Rylee Stoebner 67th (21:51.31), and Sierra Smidt 84th (23.05.78). There were 107 runners competing.
For the JV boys, Isaac Bambas led the Orioles with a 37th place finish, clocking a time of 16:30.71 in the 4K race. Ryan Smidt finished 60th (17:10.72), Noah Werner 92nd (18:24.08), and Aiden Zimmer 126th (21:05.73). There were 137 runners competing.
A 3K Junior High race was also held. For the Lennox girls, Graycee Postma led the way with a 26th place finish (14:23.71). Callie Hammerstrom took 57th (16:11.86) and Ellianna Thill took 65th (17:11.71). There were 75 runners competing.
In the boys’ Junior High race, Landon Atkins led the way for Lennox with a 19th place finish (12:05.84). Pierce Temme took 21st (12:09.49), Joey Boysen 25th (12:21.24), Connor Sherard 31st (12:38.97), Noah Buhta 38th (12:54.02), Noah Sayler 41st (13:01.26), Layton Smith 74th (13:52.81), Palmer Brue 82nd (14:08.55) and Caleb Ellwein 100th (15:08.91). There were 128 runners competing.
The LHS cross country team will be competing at Yankton Trails in Sioux Falls during the Augustana Twilight Meet on Friday, Sept. 6. Race order is as follows: JV girls at 6 p.m., JV boys at 6:40 p.m.; Varsity girls at 7:20 p.m., Varsity boys at 8 p.m. College races will follow.
More than 65 high school teams and 25 college programs will attend this meet. In total, nearly 5,000 participants, coaches, and fans are expected to attend on Friday. Admission to the park for the event is $10 per vehicle. Fans and spectators will be asked to pay on entry to the park. The only entrance into the event is the Westbound lane on 57th Street.
There will be food vendors and additional restrooms at the site.
On Sept. 10, the LHS team will compete in the Garretson Invite.
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