Determined Bison girls reach top three at home meet

McCook junior Megan Miller (above) boldly challenges two runners from champion North Platte during the Bison Invitational on Thursday. Miller ran one of her stronger races this season after overcoming some early-season health issues.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Missing their No. 1 runner didn’t stop the McCook girls from pushing both North Platte and Sidney at Thursday’s Bison Invitational.

Sophomore Emma Cappel stepped up to earn the No. 2 place overall behind awesome Ogalllala champion Lindee Henning.

Henning was the one runner to finish Heritage Hills’ 5,000-meter course in less than 20 minutes on an 80-degree late afternoon.

McCook sophomore Emma Cappel (left) runs stride for stride with Sidney leader Talisa Tanquary early in Thursday’s Bison Invitational at Heritage Hills. Cappel eventually placed second and Tanquary took third.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

Brecken Gale — McCook’s other super suphomore — reached the top five with only North Platte’s best runner edging her for fourth.

Throw in junior Megan Miller’s strong performance and solid classmate Maryann Kassner-Macfee to McCook’s recipe for a close top three team finish.

McCook stayed within striking range though senior Izzy Renner is recovering from a recent injury.

Steady Hitchcock Country runner Chayse Keith (right) paced the Falcons again. She placed 17th overall.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

Renner just won the Broken Bow Invitational on Sunday with Cappel capturing second place.

Emma sliced seven strokes off her Bow time at Thursday’s Bison Invitational.

North Platte won the team title despite finishing behind McCook earlier this season.

Chase County’s Tessa Smith was the other area placer as she reached 15th.

Hitchcock County senior Chayse Keith led the Falcons, just two places from winning a medal.

There were also junior varsity and junior high races ran at the Bison Invitational.

Watch for those top placers along with photos and other highlights in the Gazette early next week.

Results from the Arapahoe Invitational will be included in that next Gazette.

GIRLS

Team scores: 1. North Platte 33, 2. Sidney 42, 3. McCook 51.

Top 15 medalists: 1. Lindee Henning, Ogallala, 19:57.16; 2. Emma Cappel, MC, 20:39.18; 3. Talissa Tanquary, SID, 21:29.6; 4. Jada Hothan, NP, 21:51.78; 5. Brecken Gale, MC, 21:53.55; 6. Kylee Kampfe, SID, 22:28.1; 7. Lachelle Benitez Cedillo, NP, 22:50.1; 8. Brooklyn Brown, NP, 23:30.56; 9. Mary Nielsen, NP, 23:52.88; 10. Kaitlyn Jewett, HOLD, 23:53.98; 11. Lauren Henning, Ogallala, 23:56.1; 12. Olivia Dobesh, NP, 24:16.33; 13. Eden Jordan, SID, 24:19.3; 14. Laurel Dadgostar, SID, 24:20.46; 15. Tessa Smith, Chase County, 24:32.17.

Other best area finishers: 17. Chayse Keith, Hitchcock County, 25:20.5; 18. Megan Miller, MC, 25:21.94; 25. Maryann Kassner-Macfee, MC, 26:35.36; 26. Esmeralda Lopez, Chase County, 26:59.19; 35. Faith Hauxwell, Chase County, 29:10.93; 36. Ella Malcolm, MC, 29:16.18.