Cross Country Teams Race to Place at State

Both MHS cross country teams qualified for the 2018 South Dakota State Cross Country Meet. They competed Saturday, October 20, at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls.

Coach Eric Townsend summed it up, “The State A was a fantastic meet and great way to end the season for both teams. The boys’ team had their highest team finish at the state meet since 2012. They placed ninth. The goal going in for the boys was to crack the top 10.” Mission accomplished! Individually, Nick Batchelor placed in the top 25 for the second consecutive year. He took home eighth place.

Boys’ Team
The boys’ average time came in at 18:25:31 to get them to the ninth place finish. Custer took first place, followed by Vermillion, St. Thomas-More, Sioux Falls Christian, Beresford, West Central, Rapid City Christian, Lennox and Milbank.

Individual times for the six Bulldogs competing were: Nick Batchelor – 16:40:78, Zippy Bock – 18:28:87, Nathan Loutsch – 19:14:95, Alex Farrell – 19:16:63, James Batchelor – 19:27:91, and Ben Harstad – 19:41:62.

Girls’ Team
The girls’ team placed sixth and earned their way to the awards stand for the first time since 2002. Their sixth place finish was the team’s highest since 2009.

Coach Townsend said, “The girls’ goal was to get on the podium as one of the top six teams and we knew it was going to be close. The last half mile of the race, our top four girls passed runners to propel them into the top six as a team.” Second mission accomplished! Individually, Danica Schulte and Maurina Street had the highest finish since 2009. Danica placed 30th and Maurina placed 34th.

Average time for the girls’ team was 20:55:75. Individual times were: Danica Schulte – 20:29:40, Maurina Street – 20:38:15, Amaya Street – 21:05:65, Taylor Thue – 21:29:07, Ashlyn O’Farrell – 21:34:04, and Maiah Brown – 22:05:99. The girls from Custer also won the Class A title. They were followed by the teams from Hill City, Chamberlain, St. Thomas-More, Lennox, and Milbank.