Smith, Genteman each place fifth at Colby cross country meet

Facing cold and rain, the Loyal-Greenwood and Spencer cross country teams competed at Colby on Sept. 10 with the Greyhound girls taking third and the Spencer boys finishing in fifth.

The Greyhound girls competed in a field of 47 runners at Colby. Summer Smith continues to show her strength as a lead runner for the Loyal-Greenwood team, being the first runner on the team to finish the 5,000-meter course. She took fifth place overall, crossing the finish in 22:54.2. Taking 15th and 16th place respectively were Leah Scherer (24:49.8) and Bailey Eckes (24:51.9).

Also placing in the top 20 at Colby was Addison Holm, who ran a 25:30.5 to take the 19th spot. Katlund Etlicher and Maci Bogdonovich placed 24th and 25th, respectively, with Etlicher running a 25:59.1 and Bogdonovich finishing in 25:59.7. Rounding out the Greyhound team at the invite were Alexis Meyer (35th, 26.55.1), Aubre Robida (36th, 27:04.2) and Halle Aumann (37th, 27:20.1).

Competing as individuals, the Loyal-Greenwood boys had three runners compete and place at Colby. Connor Genteman took fifth place overall with a time of 18:07.2, Cody Eckes ran a 21:19.5 to place 28th and Lucas Nielsen ran to a 36th-place finish with his time of 22:35.1.

The Spencer Rockets cross country team also ran at Colby on Sept. 10, with three individuals representing the girls. Rachel Nieman placed the highest among the individual athletes, taking 20th with a time of 25:43.2. Zaprina Bulla Ruiz ran a 26:39.7 which was good enough to earn her 32nd. Theresa Knecht also ran for Spencer, taking 44th with a time of 29:09.2 The Rocket boys had six runners take to the field for them, competing as a team at the invite. In the 55-runner field, Breckin Miller was the first Rocket to cross the finish, placing 34th with a time of 22:05.4. Isaac Howlett was next, placing 40th with a time of 23:41.5.

About 15 seconds later, Austin Lalicata concluded his race, coming through at the 23:57.6 mark to take 41st. Also placing for the Rocket boys were Andrew Sieracki (44th, 24:38.1), Noah Anderson (46th, 24:41.6) and Henry Glamm (52nd, 30:52.8).

As a team, the Loyal-Greenwood girls placed third with 75 points, finishing ahead of Mauston (101). Colby took second (36) and Stratford was first (31). In the boys race, Spencer placed fifth with 139 points, Columbus Catholic was fourth (95), Colby took third (63), Stratford was second (46) and Mauston was first (34).

NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD/TRIBUNE PHOHONGRAPH PHOTO

CHEYENNE THOMAS/STAFF PHOTO