Bison wrap cross country with Top 10 state medalist

McCook sophomore Emma Cappel

Courtesy Photo

KEARNEY, Neb. — It was a great Friday for summer mowin’ as sophomore Emma Cappel cut three spots in her state cross country title pursuit at Kearney Country Club.

The McCook sophomore captured ninth place among all Class C state cross country qualifiers — above her freshman 12th-place finish a year ago.

“She didn’t seem to have too much issue with the heat,” coach Tom Sughroue declared about the two-time Class C medalist.

McCook senior Izzy Renner leading a pack of runners at Class C state on Friday in Kearney.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

Meanwhile, the “Izzy Factor” clearly came into play again on this lovely 85-degree autumn event at Kearney Country Club.

Senior Izzy Renner finished her return from a nagging foot injury and outran nearly 70 other Class C state qualifiers.

Renner helped McCook claim a Top 10 team spot in ninth just nine days after finishing one point from a C-5 district championship.

“Izzy was a real key part for our team this year,” Sughroue commented. “You can see where we placed when we had her running. “The other girls are just going to need the mindset that they will get better, run faster next year.”

Sophomore Brecken Gale reached the Class C top half (58 of 116) to cap another strong season.

Junior Megan Miller was McCook’s fourth best runner to put the final touches on a fall where she dealt with injuries. Junior Maryann Kassner McAfee and sophomore Jenna Wilkinson completed the state-qualifying Bison contingent.

“Maryann ran hard all year for us, and she battled some things like a blister today,” Sughroue said. “And I thought Jenna ran well today.”

KEARNEY, Neb. — A final rundown of the Class C team race and all McCook Bison times plus places at Friday’s Class C state meet.

Teams: 1. Kearney Catholic 76, 2. Auburn 80, 3. Lincoln Christian 88, 4. Platteview 88, 5. Scotus Central Catholic 99, 6. Douglas County West 119, 7. Sidney 119, 8. Aurora 137, 9. McCook 152, 10. Milford 161, 11. Broken Bow 163, 12. Wahoo 166, 13. Hartington 168, 14. Fort Calhoun 175, 15. Columbus Lakeview 176.

Bison placers: 9. Emma Cappel 21:05.7 (medalist), 48. Izzy Renner 22:56.7, 58. Brecken Gale 23:33.1, 100. Megan Miller 25:43.3, 105. Maryann Kassner Macfee 26:51, 111. Jenna Wilkinson 27:44.6.