McCook boys medal at conference meet

McCook’s Josiah Wilkinson (right) and Grant Cappel were both Southwest Conference medalists. Below, Bison enior Josh Hegwood (right) works his way up the Heritage Hills on Thursday.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Freshman Josiah Wilkinson and sophomore Grant Cappel led the McCook Bison with top 10 finishes at Thursday’s Southwest Conference championship meet.

Senior Josh Hegwood was only three spots from joining them while continuing to get stronger after last winter’s inury.

The Bison made a good push into fourth place with their young team, outscoring three SWC rivals on this 80-degree day running across those Heritage Hills.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

Broken Bow did edge Minden for the championship.

The district meets arrive next week to determine state spots.

Team scores: 1. Broken Bow 25, 2. Minden 31, 3. Gothenburg 50, 4. McCook 70, 5. Ainsworth 86, 6. Cozad 113, 7. Ogallala 119.

Top 15 medalists: 1. Ty Schlueter, AIN, 17:21.57; 2. Ethan Olsen, GOTH, 18:04.45; 3. Noah Osmond, Bow, 18:19.26; 4. Cooper Land, MIND, 18:23.14; 5. Konner Verbeck, MIND, 18:23.5; 6. Daine Wardyn, Bow, 18:26.68; 7. Jesse Gallian, Bow, 18:27.75; 8. Caden Jameson, MIND, 18:35.82; 9. Treyton Hurlburt, Bow, 18:41.19; 10. Josiah Wilkinson, MC, 18:47.07; 11. Yahriel Gaeta, GOTH, 18:49.31; 12. Lorenzo Levario, COZ, 18:52.81; 13. Grant Cappel, MC, 18:58.23; 14. Sam Cederburg, MIND, 19:02.3; 15. Nathan Sager, GOTH, 19:17.72.

Other Bison leaders: 18. Josh Hegwood, MC, 19:23.61; 29. Josiah Wilkinson, MC, 21:02.18; 34. Evan Mai, MC, 21:12.99; 35. Grant Wells, MC, 21:14.06.