The Wheatland Thunderhawks Cross Country team competed at their co-combined school hometown in Quinter, KS. Hot and dry conditions of 90+ again were the running conditions at the start of the first race and for the remainder of the meet.
The Junior Varsity girls and Varsity girls race (5k) kicked off the three race set at 4:30 pm. Competing for the Bulldogs and Thunderhawk XC members in that race were Carma Wolf, Brooke Bixenman, Melissa Bixenman, Angel Mong and Rebekah Kitch. Unfortunately, back pains were keeping Sophomore Selena Gorsky from competing and Evie Gruenbacher becoming ill hours before the meet started. The team is hoping for quick heal up for both runners. Carma Wolf finished in 24:35 and was 5th of 21 Varsity girl runners followed by Brooke Bixenman (7th / 21) of Wheatland-Grinnell and Melissa Bixenman at 12th of 21 for the Varsity girls. Angel Mong was also not far off at 17th of 21 runners to close out the Varsity members for the Thunderhawks and Bulldog Girl XC members. Rebekah Kitch was 2nd to last coming in at 4th of 5 runners and medaling for her 2nd straight JV race. Great performance by all the girls today.
The Varsity Boys race started at 5:00 pm. On the Bulldogs and Wheatland Boys Varsity team this time were Seniors Brice Hackler and returning runner Nicholas Wente, Julien Illo, Freshman Jesse Bogert and Junior Zac Funk. Nicholas Wente was an all out star for the team as he ran 4th of 31 runners! A amazing debut to the 2015 XC season. Great Job Nicholas. Brice Hackler was not far behind him and was 7th of 31 runners. Brice showed much improvement by earning his 2nd straight Top 10 finisher medals and also a 2nd place team medal for the Boys Varsity. Hackler also took off just under a minute of his last year time at the same meet. Great work Brice. Julien Illo came in 9th of 31 and improved over 20+ seconds on his time from the last meet this year. Jesse Bogert lost 10th place just by steps but he earned his second Top 15 medal and also improved his time by 20+ seconds from his last meet this year. Great work Jesse and Julien.
The Final runners of the night were the J.V. Boys race. Seth Hinman stepped down from the Varsity team to the J.V. race this time. Seth Hinman finished 2nd of 11 runners and although he didn't have a better time than last meet he still got a medal and still a great medal for him and his first individual medal of the year. Wyatt Mong came in 6th and Dylan Boone got his first medal of the year after getting 9th place. Hard work helped Wyatt and Dylan get great times at the meet along with the rest of the team members.
The Thunderhawks and Bulldogs XC combined team will travel to Wakenney, KS to compete next on 9-17-15.
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| The Varsity Boys right before their race. |
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| Angel Mong (left) and Rebekah Kitch (right) are encouraged by teammates as they press on in the race. |
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| Julien Illo (front) and Jesse Bogert (back) keep pace during their race on 9/10/15. |
