Runners from Arlington, Blair and Fort Calhoun competed for NSAA State Cross-Country Championship qualifications Wednesday during district competition.
Twenty-five earned their spots across 5 kilometers, including seven Eagles, six Bears and 12 Pioneers.
BHS’ Class B state races begin at noon on Oct. 20 at Kearney Country Club. The girls’ race is first before the boys’ race at 1 p.m.
The Class C races, meanwhile, are at 3 and 4 p.m., respectively.
Blair girls qualify
Reece Ewoldt of Blair won the Class B-2 District Meet on Wednesday in Plattsmouth.
The senior clocked in at 19:55.69, pushing her Bears to a second-place finish and a state qualification.
Allie Czapla (seventh), Jade Wickwire (11th), Ryen Anderson (17th), Nadia Davey (19th) and Ryleigh Schroeter (26th) all contributed at Rhylander Park and will travel to Kearney for the Class B championships.
Declan McCabe, meanwhile, led the BHS boys in 19th — four spots shy of a state qualification. The Bears were fifth out of six teams overall.
FCHS boys, girls earn trips
Both the Fort Calhoun boys and girls teams earned Class C state trips Wednesday on their home course at Fort Atkinson.
The FCHS boys were second in the C-2 District standings, while the girls earned third.
Representing the Pioneer boys in Kearney on Oct. 20 will be Will Dennis (seventh at districts), Travis Skelton (ninth), Chris Post-Whiteowl (14th), Seth Waters (15th), Lawson Tjardes (16th) and Gage Nixon (20th).
Girls Raeann Massey (who was second in 20:30.64), Maelie Nelson (11th), Harley Schwarte (20th), Emily Barta (24th), Bella McLaughlin (28th) and Brady Work (46th) will represent FCHS at state, too.
May, O’Daniel lead Eagles
Seven Arlington Eagles will compete during the state meet after Wednesday’s districts at Fort Atkinson, including top finishers Nolan May and Hailey O’Daniel.
O’Daniel won the C-2 race, clocking in at 20:18.3. She will represent the AHS girls in Kearney, while May’s second place finish helped push the Eagle boys to a team qualification in third. He stopped the clock in 16:45.1, while Kolby Tighe (10th), Kevin Flesner (17th), John Morrison (22nd), Trey Hill (23rd) and Dallin Franzluebbers (28th) followed suit.
For the full story on district cross-country and additional photos, check out Tuesday’s edition of the Washington County Pilot-Tribune. Coverage will also appear online at enterprisepub.com/sports that same day.
