Cross Country Teams Punch Tickets to State

Milbank High School is sending both the boys and girls cross country teams to the State Class A meet next weekend in Rapid City. The teams punched their tickets during the Region 1A meet in Webster on Thursday, October 12.

According to Milbank’s head cross country coach, Eric Townsend, “The conditions were a little windier but that didn’t seem to bother our teams. We were lucky enough to qualify both varsity teams to the state meet. This will be the first time since 2013 that Milbank has been fortunate enough to qualify both a boys and girls team to the state meet.”

The girls team captured the Region 1A championship title, its first since 2008. Five runners placed in the top 17. Milbank was the only team to place five girls in the top 20. “This will be the sixth consecutive trip to State for the girls team,” said Townsend.

Danica Schulte had a fourth place finish. Maurina Street placed sixth, and Taylor Thue placed seventh. Amaya Street took 14th place. Ashlyn O’Farrell placed 17th. Allison Leddy earned a 29th place finish.

The Milbank boys also placed five runners in the top 20. The team took second place, just behind Webster Area. Nick Batchelor finished third to set the pace. Luke Wold took eighth place, and Zippy Bock finished in 10th. Alex Farrell came in at 13th, and Ben Harstad was 20th. Carter Hartman took home a 28th place finish.

The junior varsity runners also completed their season at Webster. All 10 JV girls placed in the top 20 – six were top eight finishers. The JV boys placed six runners in the top 20 including four in the top six.

Three seniors ran their last race of their high school cross country careers – Shea Hooth, Christina Lusk, and Andrew Falk. “I am very proud of their efforts and how they finished their careers,” said Townsend. “Senior managers Shawn Stemsrud and Allison Pillatzki have been instrumental and huge assets to the cross country teams throughout their career. Senior runner Sophia Seffrood was unable to compete in the last meets of the season due to illness and injury, but her leadership and experience have been a huge part of the varsity girl’s team throughout her career.”

The State Class A Cross Country meet is Saturday, October 21, in Rapid City at the Hart Ranch Resort. The Class “A” girls race is at 1 pm (MST) and the Class “A” boys race is at 2:30 pm (MST). Awards follow the races at approximately 3 pm (MST). More information can be found on the South Dakota High School Association website.

Complete results from the Region 1A meet:
Girls
Team scores – Milbank, 31; Aberdeen Roncalli, 47; Deuel, 47; Webster Area, 50; Redfield-Doland, 73; Groton Area, 101; Hamlin, 115.
Varsity 5K Race – 4. Danica Schulte, 21:22.49; 6. Maurina Street, 21:35.11; 7. Taylor Thue, 21:38.12; 14. Amaya Street, 22:03.32; 17. Ashlyn O’Farrell, 22:17.32; 29. Allison Leddy, 24:15.27.
Junior Varsity 3K Race – 2. Addie Farrell, 14:48.15; 3. Shea Hooth, 14:51.47; 4. Savanna Osowski, 14:58.28; 6. Christina Lusk, 15:57.85; 7. Marion Mischel, 16:03.05; 8. Justine Wiik, 16:15.22; 13. Elsie Seffrood, 17:32.11; 16. Tori Hooth, 18:04.12; 19. Mallory Falk, 18:48.91.
Boys
Team scores – Webster Area, 23; Milbank, 31; Redfield-Doland, 48; Aberdeen Roncalli, 51; Deuel, 72.
Varsity 5K Race – 3. Nick Batchelor, 17:34.86; 8. Luke Wold, 18:34.21; 10. Zippy Bock, 18:54.23; 13. Alex Farrell, 19:11.21; 20. Ben Harstad, 19:46.93; 29. Carter Hartman, 20:38.25.
Junior Varsity 3K Race – 1. Jamisen Sperry, 12:47.86; 2. Braden Brandriet, 13:05.72; 4. Kevin Koik, 13:28.97; 6. Noah Garcia, 13:38.43; 13. Dylan Bohn, 14:23.54; 18. Riley Przybycien, 14:46.80; 30. Andrew Falk, 18:27.52.

Boys team: (l. to r.) Carter Hartman, Luke Wold, Nick Batchelor, Zippy Bock, Alex Farrell, and Ben Harstad. Photo courtesy of Dani Bock.