In the blistering August heat, most people would prefer to stay inside and cool off with a tall glass of water. But for the West Holt Cross Country team, they had their sights focused on dominating competition at their first meet of the year.

The WHXC team took a trip down south to Burwell on Thursday, August 24 for their first meet of the year. Due to the heat, the meet began bright and early, with the team loading the bus to begin their trip to Burwell at 6:30 in the morning.

But the changing of times and waking up early did not hinder the Huskies, in fact, they thrived. The meet consisted of both Junior High and High School runners, giving the opportunity for all the runners of West Holt runners to receive some meet experience.

The Junior High runners began the day, and West Holt found success. In the boys’ race, the Huskies only had one runner within the top 10, that being Ian Cambras who took home the tenth-place medal. The girls, however, dominated the field earning five of the top ten medals and taking home the plaque for team meet champion.

Both High School boys and girls found success shortly after the junior high races. The girls dominated their competition, taking home six medals in route to an impressive victory to kick off the season. While the boys didn’t have as many in the top 15 as the girls did, they were still able to get the job done and come home with the championship plaque. Completing the dominating day for the Huskies in Burwell.

The Cross-Country team now gets a week off to rest before their second meet of the season on Thursday, August 31 in Ainsworth at 4:00 p.m.

Times and placings for Husky runners from the meet are as follows:

Girls Junior High:

Place     Name                   Time

2             Leah Pistulka      8:22.59

4             Eisley Mlady       9:06.58

6             Sadie Keogh        9:18.93

9             Bergan Keogh     9:45.78

11           Emma Peek         9:56.16

12           Calla Mitchell     9:56.42

13           Reese Hoffman  10:13.49

14           Olivia Rentschler 10:14.87

22           Yazmin Zamora  11:09.39

29           Paisley Mitchell  13:07.35

Team Standings

Place     School   Total Points

  1. West Holt            12
  2. Sandhills/Thedford           15
  3. Stuart    32          

Junior High Boys:

Place     Name    Time

10           Ian Cambras       9:29.18

13           Alec Vrooman     10:48.86

Team Standings

Place     School                  Points

1             Central Valley     6

2             Twin Loup            15

High School girls

Place     Name    Time

2             Maddie Davis     17:37.73

4             Felycia Kerkman                18:15.39

8             Ava Hoffmann    19:30.07

9             Emersyn Mlady  19:35.70

13           Anel Monasterio               20:24.15

14           Hannah Olson    20:24.30

15           Rylee Poessnecker           20:41.67

16           Kearsten Keogh  20:49.87

Team Standings

Place     Team                    Points

1             West Holt            13

2             South Loup         26

3             Burwell                31

4             CWC                     32

High School boys:

Place     Name    Time

1             Drew Martin       14:16.02

5             Carter Gotschall                15:26.54

8             Alex Gotschall                   16:25.72

17           Ian Shane            17:27.75

21           Braydon Olson   18:11.63

Team Standings

Place     School                  Points

1             West Holt            11

2             South Loup         13

3             CWC                     24