Bison runners testing district rivals in big meet

These McCook Bison runners medaled in recent high school or junior high races at the Lexington and Cozad Invitationals. From left are Saraie Barber, champion Emma Cappel, Brecken Gale (on Emma’s back), Sienna Dutton, champion Sami Rodewald (on Sienna’s back), Grace Cappel, Ethan Boner, Josiah Wilkinson and Grant Cappel (on Josiah’s shoulders). Not pictured was Bison senior Josh Hegwood. Rodewald and Dutton finished 1-2 at Tuesday’s Lexington Invite.

Tami Pochop/For The Gazette

LEXINGTON, Neb. — Just like last fall, the sight of district rivals brought championship efforts from McCook’s cross country runners Tuesday afternoon.

Junior Sami Rodewald zoomed to the Lexington Invite title (20:21.4) and sophomore Sienna Dutton took second (21:23.2) ahead of Grand Island Northwest’s Lexie Lilienthal (21:32.8).

Bison teammate Shawna Wilkinsonjust missed a medal (17th/23:44.6) but outran two more runners from district foes Northwest and host Lexington.

“We were coming off of a long weekend and stepping onto a course to run can be a bit of a challenge, but we seemed to handle the race just fine,” coach Tom Sughroue said. “(Junior) Shawna Wilkinson finished just out of the medals at 17th. This was the first time we have ran against Northwest and Lexington and as district foes we really needed to see how we looked against them.”

The Bison are defending B-6 district champs. Senior Joslyn Hammond earned 31st (25:09.7) among more than 70 varsity runners who finished this race.

Alma-Southern Valley’s Riley Scott (25:32.7) and freshman Harper Fennel (25:58.9) both finished in the top 40.

Bison senior Kailynn Rodewald finished 43rd (26:55.9) with sophomore Abigail Nielson placing 44th (26:56.8).

On the boys’ side, McCook didn’t quite match a strong effort at Cozad though freshman Josiah Wilkinson was one spot from another medal (16th/18:46.3).

Senior Josh Hegwood took 26th (19;29) and sophomore Grant Cappel 27th (19;32) in a field featuring more than 100 varsity runners.

Sophomore Griffin Stemper led Alma-Southern Valley in 39th place (19:52.9).

Bison freshman Joshua Wilkinson finished 48th (20:27.3).

Grand Island’s Juan Garcia won the race at 16:23.8, outracing Lexington’s Jayden Ureste (17:13.1) on his home course.

North’s Caden Keller finished third at 17:23.