Multiple runners medal at AHSTW Invitational
Whether it was Exira-EHK, AHSTW, or IKM-Manning, multiple runners performed strong at the AHSTW Invitational in Avoca Tuesday afternoon. For the Wolves, two girls medaled, including Raegan Garrison, who finished 10th with 22:38 and Emily Albertsen, who finished 13th with 23:05.
“I thought Raegan and Emily had solid races tonight,” said Wolves Head Coach Robert Cast.
For the boys, Camden Morris was the top finisher, taking an overall finish of 19:04. Kasche Huehn was the second fastest finishing 25th overall with 19:44.
For the Vikings, one of their top runners, Bella Lamp, continues to remain sidelined. However, Ava Paulsen has been setting the tone, finishing first among the Vikings with 23:24 at 16th overall. Her sister, Kenna Paulsen was not far behind her finishing 21st with 24:06.
“I was very proud of both the Paulsen sisters,” said Viking Head Coach Jackson Renberg. “Ava had a great start and really did a great job picking off runners throughout the race. She beat some very good runners from the area and was close to some very good runners as well. She has really had a strong start to the season and we look forward to seeing her get better as the season progresses. Kenna did a great job of setting in on a good pace and she looked very good on the hills both going up and down them. I was a little bummed out for her that she didn’t get a medal as she has been close this year to breaking through. However, she ran really good and as long as she keeps doing that I think she will break the top 20 soon.”
The other two runners for the Vikings were Emery Brockhoff and Yana Lander taking 34th and 38th finishes with times of 27:04 and 27:30.
“Emery ran sick yesterday, but she has a really good work ethic and she will eventually have a good race,” Renberg said. “We're really looking forward to next week where we can get some good courses that are flatter and hopefully we can see on paper how much she has improved. Yana has come a long way since the start of the season and hopefully she can improve her times next week. The last few meets have been tough courses the gauge there times as they were very hilly.”
For the Spartans, their top finisher on the boys side was Austin Rasmussen, who took 10th overall with 18:20, finishing just a little over a minute behind the winner, Gunner Wagner of Woodbine with 17:03.
“Austin ran a very consistent race against some of the best 1A runners in the area,” said Spartan Head Coach Kevin Brown. “He seems to run his best races when he runs even, or negative splits for each mile. What really stood out to me was his finishing kick. He caught another runner with 50 meters to go which shows he never gave up.”
On the girls’ side, Brown’s top runner in Michelle Wilson did not run, but Brown is excited to see her compete in their next event. With Wilson not runner, Leah Boysen was the top finisher with a time of 29:07 coming in at 47th overall.
“Sitting out Michelle is tough, because she is a state quality type of runner, but we are thinking of playing a long game with her and not over racing her,” he said. “Michelle did a great job being a leader, even without racing. Leah ran hard the first mile and set the tone of the race. The girls team competed hard throughout the race.”
The Wolves and Vikings will run next Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Quail Run Golf Course where they will be two of 16 schools competing. The Spartans returned to action Tuesday for an event at Panorama Elementary School where they were one of 18 to compete. According to Brown, Wilson will return for this event.
“Thursday will be a fun race to see unfold,” he added. “Some of the best schools in the area will be there to compete. We have to concentrate on what we can control. Austin has a goal of qualifying for state this year, and it's another opportunity to run against a lot of good competition. Michelle will be back in action and will be ready to compete.”