Top three in the team battle and top 15 individually was the goal for high school cross country teams competing in their respective district race.
From the Albion Country Club, Wayne High joined seven other girls teams and 10 other boys teams during the C-3 District hosted by Boone Central on Thursday.
The Wayne High boys were crowned district champion with 39 points while the Blue Devil girls placed fourth with 61 points.
In the boys division, Wayne edged Battle Creek (39-42) for the district title as Bloomfield-Wausa also qualified their team to state in third (57). O’Neill placed fourth (80) and Pierce rounded out the top five teams with 94 points.
The Wayne High boys were led by a trio of district medalists being senior Gavin Redden finishing runner-up in a time of 17:58, sophomore Emmanuel Gonzalez followed in sixth during a time of 18:25 as senior Kasen York placed 14th in 18:44.8.
Other Blue Devil results on the state qualifying team include sophomore Landen Claussen (17th – 18:57.9), junior Drew Miller (20th – 19:18.3) and junior Boden Dobbins (25th – 19:51.4).
Miles Clausen from Battle Creek won the C-3 District race in a time of 17:43.6 on the 5,000-meter course among the 64 runners.
During the girls division, Boone Central was crowned the C-3 District champion with 44 points, Pierce followed in runner-up (48) as Columbus Lakeview took third (56) to qualify for state. Both Wayne and West Point-Beemer scored 61 points to place fourth fifth respectively.
The Wayne High girls were led by state qualifiers junior Lilyan Hurner in 13th place during a time of 22:43.5 as senior Yama Kantai took the final medal in 15th in 22:58.1. Senior Olivia Hanson just missed a qualifying spot in 16th (23:10.3).
Other Blue Devil results came from senior Norah Armstrong (25th – 24:18.5), junior Kennasyn Blecke (30th – 24:40.4) and junior Josie Ley (36th – 24:58.2).
Autumn Gasper from Boone Central won the C-3 District race in a time of 20:52.7 on the 5,000-meter course among the 53 runners.
The 2024 NSAA State Cross Country Championships will take place at the Kearney Country Club on Friday, Oct. 25. Class C boys will run at 3 p.m. while the Class C girls will take to the course at 4 p.m.
District C-3: Girls
13. Lilyan Hurner (11)
Wayne 22:43.50
15. Nyamalo Kantai (12)
Wayne 22:58.10
Boys:
2. Gavin Redden (12)
Wayne 17:58.00
5. Emmanuel Gonzalez (10)
Wayne 18:12.60
14. Kasen York (12)
Wayne 18:44.80
Team Scores:
1.Wayne, 39
Coach: Terry Beair
Gavin Redden (12), 17:58.00; Emmanuel Gonzalez (10), 18:12.60; Kasen York (12), 18:44.80; Landen Claussen (10), 18:57.90; Drew Miller (11), 19:18.30; Boden Dobbins (11), 19:51.40.
