The Wayne girls cross country team earned a trip to next week’s state meet in Kearney with a third-place effort in the C-2 district meet Thursday in Albion.
The Blue Devils scored 53 points to finish five behind Hartington-Newcastle and eight ahead of defending champion Boone Central/Newman Grove, who were left out of the team qualifying race. Columbus Scotus won the race with 28 points.
Individually, Hannah Leonard placed fourth in a time of 20:15 to lead the Blue Devils, while Andrea Torres was 10th in 20:45. Gabi Meyer was 19th and Marta Pulfer placed 20th to round out Wayne’s scoring. Marcella Jurotich was 22nd, while Molly Hoskins placed 35th.
In the boys race, Wayne tied for 10th in the team standings and did not qualify as a team or with any individuals. Jack Evetovich was the highest finisher for the Blue Devils, finishing 32nd in 18:55. Also running were Brandon Wacker (41st), Will Anderson (43rd), Cole Hobza (59th), and Lucas Longe (64th).
In Class D-2 action at Norfolk, Winside was eighth and LCC finished 11th in the boys team standings, but Winside did earn an individual spot in the Class D boys race next week as Dylan Brogren qualified, finishing 12th in a time of 18:23.52. It will be his first trip to the state meet.
Also running for Winside were Alex Carlson (27th), JaShaun Vyborny (43rd), Sean Mann (51st), Cody Frederick (54th) and Carter Jensen (55th) and . For LCC, Ryan Bathke was 38th to lead the way, followed by Karsen Klooz (53rd), Justin Kinkaid (58th), Landon Boysen (69th) and Logan Hansen (72nd).
The State Cross Country Championships will be held Friday, Oct. 21 at the Kearney Country Club.
