KEARNEY — A wide-open team race came down to the final few runners and was just enough for the Wayne High girls to edge Auburn and claim the Class C state title Friday at the Nebraska High School Cross Country Championships.
Twelve different schools were among the top 15 finishers, and the duo of sophomore Jala Krusemark and senior Laura Hasemann both made it to the medal stand. But it was the efforts of Kyla Krusemark, Lilyan Hurner, Olivia Hanson and Frantzdie Barner that helped Wayne edge Auburn 74-76 to claim the team’s first state title since back-to-back Class C crowns in 1995-1996.
Jala Krusemark battled from toward the back of the 113-girl field, making a mad dash over the last 1,000 meters to come home in 14th place with a time of 20:42.42. Hasemann outran Makinley Fuller of Chadron over the last 50 meters to finish two-tenths of a second ahead for the 15th and final medal spot with a time of 20:47.85.
Kyla Krusemark also battled back and finished 21st in 21:16.3, and Lilyan Hurner was next, placing 52nd in 22:48.9. After that, Olivia Hanson was 57th in 23:01.7 and Frantzdie Barner finished 75th in 23:32.1.
In boys action earlier today, the Wayne High boys finished in 11th place with 169 points.
Drew Miller earned a state medal, finishing in 15th place with a time of 17:34:51.
Other Wayne boys finishers were Alexander Frank (41st), Easton Blecke (92nd), Kasen York (96th), Ethan McCraney (99th) and Adrian Klinetobe (108).
More information coming later — look for a complete update and photos in next week’s edition of The Wayne Herald.
