The words “last” and “race” were written on Jade Wickwire's leg in Sharpie.
Seniors Ryleigh Schroeter, Nadia Davey and she represented Blair High School one last time Friday during the NSAA Class B State Cross-Country Championships in Kearney. Their girls team took 11th overall, while seven of coach Carson Norine's eight state qualifiers set new course personal records across 5 kilometers.
“I got my goal,” Wickwire said after taking 29th in 20:33.65. “What I wanted.”
The time was her best-ever and not just at Kearney Country Club. Underclassmen Ryen Anderson — 58th in 21:33.9 — and Emma Himes — 69th in 21:57.7 — set their all-time best times Friday, too.
BHS' Kate Wulf added a 67th-place showing in 21:55.5 as well, while Schroeter was 74th in 22:14 and Davey was 79th in 22:45.3.
“I don't like this course, but it was a good race,” Schroeter said, cracking a smile. “I think I kind of like it now.”
“You like it when it's your last one,” Davey remarked.
She, meanwhile, wasn't 100 percent for the race, having missed recent meets, including districts, due to injury. That wasn't going to stop her at state, though.
“I was like, 'Dude. I'm not done,'” Davey said. “After Boys Town, I didn't want to have that be my last race.”
The runner just knew she could tough out one more competition with her teammates.
“I was like, 'You know what? I have the winter to recover if something bad goes wrong,'” Davey said. “But nothing bad happened.”
Altogether, five runners from Coach Norine's Class of 2025 girls group had state experience by the end of their careers. Lainey Bilau and Addie Sullivan watched Friday's race, while Wickwire, Schroeter and Davey all competed in it.
Norine said he was proud of the Bears, who he described as “tough.”
“I'm going to miss it,” Wickwire said. “Like, a lot.”
The two Blair boys to run Friday in Kearney have eligibility remaining, though. Junior Roland Barondeau was 72nd in 18:23.2, while sophomore Lane Christensen took 74th in 18:27.6. The latter runner's time was 65 seconds faster than his last trip to the country club course.
NSAA CLASS B XC STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Friday at Kearney Country Club
BOYS
Team standings: Lincoln Pius X 38, Hastings 66, Omaha Skutt 70, Beatrice 92, Gretna 93, Lexington 99, Elkhorn 124, Gretna East 129, Elkhorn Mount Michael 130, Plattsmouth 135, Gering 143, Norris 154.
Individual medalist: Braden Lofquest, Gretna East, 15:14.6.
Blair results: 72, Roland Barondeau, 18:23.2. 74, Lane Christensen, 18:27.6.
GIRLS
Team standings: Elkhorn North 26, Norris 32, Pius X 74, Gretna 112, Seward 114, Omaha Duchesne 119, Bennington 123, Omaha Skutt 131, Hastings 131, York 141, Blair 179, Schuyler 214.
Individual medalist: Kendall Zavala, Norris, 18:23.9.
Blair results: 29, Jade Wickwire, 20:33.7. 58, Ryen Anderson, 21:33.9. 67, Kate Wulf, 21:55.5. 68, Emma Himes, 21:57.7. 74, Ryleigh Schroeter, 22:14. 79, Nadia Davey, 22:45.3.
