Bison cross country girls capture top four at home invite

McCOOK, Neb. — It sure wasn’t easy and little seemed pretty during Thursday’s Bison Cross Country Invitational through 90-degree weather at Heritage Hills.

But hey, the McCook girls have conquered this beast before and they took home a top four finish among nine complete teams running this annual 3.1-mile adventure.

Junior Emma Cappel reached the top 10 while classmate Brecken Gale was just one spot from that elite group.

Other Bison like seniors Megan Miller, Ella Malcom, Leni Henderson and Maryann Kassner-Macfee powered this latest solid team performance.

“I thought for the weather conditions we ran well. When it’s that warm on the back nine of Heritage Hills it really becomes a survival day,” Bison coach Tom Sughroue confirmed. “It could have been worse if we hadn’t had the breeze. The girls finished 4th as a team and the boys 10th. Emma Cappel, Brecken Gale and Megan Miller continue to lead the girls team.”

McCook’s 73 poins were behind champion Minden with 27, North Platte scoring 36 and sandhills powerhouse Mullen’s 47. The Broncos get plenty of long-distance practice running along Highway 2 most likely.

The Bison outran Sidney’s 79 points while Chase County took sixth with 83 as Alayna Smith and Tessa Smith were both top 15 finishers for those Longhorns.

Broken Bow was just four points from catching Chase with 87 total.

Ogallala took eighth (128) and Perkins County ninth (136).

McCOOK, Neb. — All varsity finishers in Thursday’s Bison Cross Country Invitational at Heritage Hills featuring 90-degree temperatures: