MEEKER | The 2A Regional cross country competition was held last Friday at Confluence Park in Delta. All of the Region 4 teams were in attendance with hopes of finishes that qualify them for the state competition. Known informally as “The Delta Speedway,” the course is flat and fast.
“I am so proud of all of our runners,” said head coach Marty Casey, “Everyone went out there and gave it their best, injured or not. We saw some great improvements in our racing, and we still have time to grow.”
In the girls’ race, senior Briar Meszaros had a good start, kept up her pace and got a new personal record of 21 minutes 10 seconds, earning her top spot for the Meeker girls’ team, and 11th overall for the region. Freshman Alana Nielsen was Meeker’s second to the finish, crossing the line in 53rd place with a new personal record of 26:41, improving her previous time by more than two minutes. Lacey Ford, the only other senior girl on the team, ran on an injury, but finished her race in 27:42 for 56th place.
The boys’ race in Delta immediately followed, and sophomore Ashdon Seibert finished first for the Cowboys, in 38th place, and another personal record of 19:40. Freshmen Shane Kobald and Owen Hannemann crossed the finish line next for the Cowboys. Both running personal record times, Kobald was very close behind Seibert, at 19:47 and 41st place; Hannemann finished in 20:08 and 48th place. Senior Pake Burke was the Cowboys fourth to the finish, and 51st overall, with a season best of 20:20. Damon Dade, another freshman, also set a new personal best time of 21:35, in 61st place. Junior Zach Harman dropped a full two minutes from his previous personal record running in 69th place at 25:26.
The team will be losing three senior leaders: Meszaros, Ford and Burke, and next year the team will be skewed towards a younger group. Casey wrapped up by saying he is “excited to see what these younger runners can do next season.” This season, Meszaros’ 11th place finish qualified her, individually, for state competition, to be held on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. The 2A girls’ race is scheduled to start at 12:20 p.m.
By Tiffany Jehorek | Special to the Herald Times
