Nick Batchelor Takes Second at State Cross Country Meet

Senior Nick Batchelor took second place individually at the State A Cross Country Meet on Saturday, October 23.  It was his fifth consecutive top-25 finish at State and boosted the boys’ team to a third-place finish — their highest since 1997.

Eighth-grader Ashlynn Batchelor placed 17th — the highest of the Lady Bulldog racers —  and helped the girls team bring home 10th place. It was Ashlynn’s second time on the awards stand and only her second cross country season. MHS coach Eric Townsend said, “This year’s field of girls was probably the best Class A field I have ever seen.” 

“Our two teams combined yielded four medalists,” Townsend said. “That’s the highest number of MHS runners on the awards stand since 1997.”

Townsend also commended Payton Brown for his 11th-place finish and James Batchelor for running his best of the season to take 25th place. Brian Meyer also peaked at the State meet. He ran his best race of the season to crack the top 60 at 60th place. Isaac Graham came in at 45th place and Jack Sandvig ran a good race to close out his senior season.

Results from the Boys 5K Run:
Team Standings 1. Sioux Falls Christian 2. Custer 3. Milbank 4. Belle Fouche 5.Hill City 6.Vermillion 7. Beresford 8. Lennox 9. Madison 10. Rapid City Christian

Sawyer Clarkson of Belle Fouche was the champion of the boys race. He clocked in at 15:27.13. N. Batchelor was just behind him in second place at 16:07.50. Daniel Colby of Sioux Falls Christian took the third-place honors. He crossed the finish line at 16:28.23. Isaac Davelaar of Sioux Falls was fourth with his time of 16:40.04 and Miles Ellman of Custer secured fifth place at 16:41.69

Individual Scores for the Bulldogs: 2. Nick Batchelor at 16:07.5011.  Payton Brown at 17:00.7425.  James Batchelor at 17:25.0545.  Isaac Graham at 18:09.3560.  Bryan Meyer at 18:34.51110. Jack Sandvig 20:12.81

Ellie Maddox of Sioux Falls Christian was crowned the state champion in the girl’s race. She came across the finish line first at 18:44.83. Ramsey Karim of Custer punched in at 18:51.54, which was good for second place, and Isabelle Bloker of Sioux Valley captured third with a time of 18:53.75.  Kinsey Evans of Chamberlain received fourth place when she came in at 18:57.67 and Kadense Dooley of Custer took fifth with her time of 18.59.74.

Results from the Girls’ 5K Race Team Standings 1.Custer 2.  Chamberlain, 3.Sioux Falls Christian, 4.Red Cloud, 5.Hill City, 6.Vermillion, 7.Flandreau, 8.Ethan-Parkston, 9.Sioux Valley, 10. Milbank.

Individual Scores for the Lady Bulldogs: 17. Ashlynn Batchelor 19:37.34, 62. Maurina Street 21:21.2674. Kynlee Spiedel 21:47.5476. Tyra Berry 21:48.6290. Ellie Neugebauer 22:32.4997. Maiah Brown 22:46.58