Bulldog Runners Face Tougher Competition

Both Bulldogs cross country teams faced tough competition at the Charger Invitational in Sioux Falls. The meet was hosted by Sioux Falls Christian at Kuehn Park on September 15. 

The girls took third place with 59 points. The boys took fifth place with 81 points.

For the girls, Ashlyn Batchelor led the pack with a first-place finish. Maiah Brown placed 19th, and Maurina Street came in at 21st.  For the boys, Nick Batchelor finished second in a field of 64 runners. James Batchelor brought home 20th place.

“The Charger Invite was a great meet for us,” stated head coach Eric Townsend. “Both teams showed they are in the discussion among the top Class A schools in the state. We had never run at this venue and the course was more difficult than we had anticipated. But, what a great experience and “workout” for us. It was nice to get some top-20 finishers among quality Class A schools.”

Milbank also participated in the Clyde Cotton Invitational in Huron on Saturday, September 19. The Bulldogs competed against some of the larger Class AA schools. 

“I thought we competed hard,” Townsend said. “This will probably be one of the largest meets we run at all season until the state meet. We are hoping this large meet atmosphere propels us to bigger things down the road as the season progresses.” Nick Batchelor finished second. James Batchelor ended in 41st place. Ashlyn Batchelor finished 10th for the girls, and M. Street was the second Lady Bulldog finisher in 33rd place.

Results for the Milbank runners from both meets:
Charger Invitational

Varsity Girls 5K Race

1. Ashlyn Batchelor, 19:53.71; 19. Maiah Brown, 22:25.09; 21. Maurina Street, 22:45.67; 24. Amaya Street, 22:57.12; 28. Ellie Neugebauer, 23:11.24; 40. Tyra Berry, 24:23.42; 54. Allison Leddy, 25:50.85.
Team scores – Sioux Falls Christian, 26; Harrisburg, 50; Milbank, 59; Lennox, 80; Tea Area, 83; Vermillion, 88; Madison, 111; West Central 126.
Varsity Boys 5K Race

2. Nick Batchelor, 16:27.18; 20. James Batchelor, 18:53.01; 31. Isaac Graham, 19:27.96; 55. Grant Van Peursem, 21:43.67; 58. Sammy Femling, 22:55.91.
Team scores – SF Christian, 14; Harrisburg, 46; Vermillion, 51; Lennox, 80; Milbank, 81; Dakota Valley, 114; Madison, 116; West Central, 119.
Junior Varsity Girls 4K Race

3. Ashlee Van Hoorn, 18:51.34; 11. Kynlee Speidel, 19:57.92; 13. Jaclyn Wiik, 20:02.24; 14. Stella Wendland, 20:29.06; 16. Savanna Osowski, 20:42.60; 23. Nadia Thue, 21:15.15; 35. Kaitlyn Krause, 22:24.53; 49. Addie Farrell, 24:05.12; 57. Sophia Gastineau, 25:32.19.
Junior Varsity Boys 4K Race

70. Jose Hernandez, 25:19.93.
7-8 Girls 3K Race

25. Olivia Foell, 13:44.47; 28. Elexia Quintanilla, 15:51.42; 29. Evelyn Liebe, 15:54.65; 34. Rylee Scoular, 16:06.98; 55. Camryn Sovell, 18:38.54; 62. Yanderyn, Olivares, 21:35.81.
7-8 Boys 3K Race

34. Ryan O’Farrell, 13:50.71; 52. Asher Young, 14:50.97; 58. Bryan Meyer, 15:15.58.

Clyde Cotton Huron Invitational
Varsity Girls 5K Race

10. Ashlyn Batchelor, 20:07.59; 49. Maurina Street, 22:02.81; 55. Maiah Brown, 23:01.58; 57. Amaya Street, 23:10.98; 62. Ellie Neugebauer, 23:41.31; 78. Allison Leddy, 26:16.96. Team scores – SF O’Gorman, 39; Brandon Valley, 44; Aberdeen Central, 93; SF Christian, 125; Chamberlain, 153; SF Washington, 157; Spearfish, 168; Brookings, 194; Milbank, 202; Watertown, 210; Webster Area, 278; Mitchell, 279.
Varsity Boys 5K Race

2. Nick Batchelor, 16:33.99; 41. James Batchelor, 19:00.21; 65. Grant Van Peursem, 20:39.66.
Junior Varsity Girls 5K Race

9. Ashlee Van Hoorn, 22:45.86; 29. Savanna Osowski, 24:20.08; 31. Kynlee Speidel, 24:33.15; 35. Stella Wendland, 24:58.14; 41. Jaclyn Wiik, 25:22.06; 43. Nadia Thue, 26:18.48; 65. Addie Farrell, 30:45.13.
Junior Varsity Boys 5K Race

56. Abner Perez, 23:12.24; 61. Will Karels, 24:08.74.
7-8 Girls 2,400 Meter Race

46. Evelyn Liebe, 11:54.97; 51. Olivia Foell, 12:09.20; 74. Camryn Sovell, 14:29.26; 76. Yanderyn Olivares, 15:33.94.
7-8 Boys 2,400 Meter Race
41. Ryan O’Farrell, 10:26.43; 46. Bryon Meyer, 10:36.43.