HUTCHINSON, Kan. – “Cross-country in the Heart of America is very competitive this year.” noted Inman Head Coach Jay Parsons, adding, “The wind tempered the competitiveness a little in terms of times, but everyone had to bear down and compete the best they could.”
In the girls’ varsity race, Addison Wedel finished 17th. Lacie Baxter also ran in the race finishing 20th.
In the boys’ varsity race, Tyler Martisko finished 18th, while Riley Roots finished 36th.
“Times this week are a bit off compared to previous weeks.” said Coach Parsons, “However, I think we are running very well. The goal is to return everyone back to being healthy and then stay strong so they can finish the season doing well.”
On Saturday, October 22, the high school runners will travel to Chase County for the regional cross-country meet. Parsons said, “We will see many of the same teams since most of them will be HOA schools, but there will be other teams we have not competed against.” He concluded by saying, “However, all of that doesn’t matter because we along with all of them have to show up and run our best race to extend the season into the next weekend at the state meet.”
The Junior High season drew to a close at the HOA League meet. Cayden Gaeddert earned his third gold medal of the season and his first league title winning the boys’ seventh grade race. Jayden Roots competed in the girls’ seventh grade race finishing eleventh. Kaleb Moen earned a medal placing third in the eighth grade boys’ race. All three of these runners ran a season best time.
In regards to the middle season, Coach Parsons said, “The seventh graders each had a successful season. I am sure they didn’t know what to expect but as the season progressed they took it on and finished very well. The eighth graders had more knowledge about cross-country but then had to learn how to run a longer distance than they did as seventh graders. Parsons concluded by saying, “I hope all of them will stay with it and next year be ready to move up to a longer distance.”
