Cross Country Readies for Thursday Regions Tim Baustian/Sun
Photo: Cross Country, Boys & Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity teams(Back) Taylor Sturgeon, Michael Krogstad, Eric Doney, Trinity Twiss, Claye Thunder Horse, Davis Carson; (Third Row) Maci Burke, Brittany McDonald, Frankie Willard, Latoya Crazy Bull and Cassi Swenson; (Second Row) Skyler Bertram, Wylie Reimer, Kayla Byers, Savannah Cheney, Andrea Barth, Taylor Harming, and Talia Colombe; (Front) Maddy Tyrell, Sierra Tarabetz, Brittany Goodlow, Vincenza Middletent, Anna Byers and Zach Hough. Not Pictured: David Renbarger
This week marks the first step on the way to the state cross country meet, with the Region 4A meet scheduled to be run on Thursday, October 15, at the Chamberlain Country Club.
Thirteen teams will be competing, including Bon Homme, Chamberlain, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, Crow Creek, Gregory, Lyman, Miller, Parkston, Platte-Geddes, South Central, Stanley County, Wagner, and Winner.
Coach Garry Winter is hopeful for his teams, seeing many good things over the past few weeks.
“Both teams are continuing to improve,” Winter said. “The girls have eight consecutive wins. The middle runners are now running closer to the front of the pack,” Winter added.
When asked about running two meets in two days last week, Winter felt the athletes performed well.
“Two meets in two days was more draining on the coach,” Winter joked. “The athletes did fine. We kept them low key in preparation for the Region meet.”
Winter points out several athletes that he feels are ready to make a big impact at the region meet, including Burke, Crazy Bull, Swenson, Harming, and Renbarger.
Winter provided a glimpse of what to expect at the Region Meet. Some of the top teams to look out for include Chamberlain, Cheyenne Eagle Butte, and South Central. Some top individuals to watch are Alena Laber (Parkston), Maci Burke, Kayla Byers (Chamberlain), and Ashley Iron Moccasin (CEB).
On the boy’s side, you can expect strong performances from Cheyenne Eagle Butte, Miller, Wagner, and Chamberlain. Individuals to watch include Dyson Lends His Horse (CEB), Donovan Brother Of All (Winner), Ryan Peterka (Miller), and Trinity Twiss (Chamberlain).
The top teams and individuals from this meet advance to the state meet, to be held in Rapid City on Saturday, October 24.