In what was the closest team races in recent memory, both Wayne High cross country teams came away with Mid State Conference championship titles Thursday at Wayne Country Club.
The boys race came down to a tie-breaker between Wayne and Boone Central, as both teams finished with 44 points. The tie-breaker was decided by Wayne senior Ethan McCraney, who was Wayne’s fifth finishing runner and placed two spots ahead of Boone Central’s fifth-place finisher to give the Blue Devils the title.
Three of Wayne’s four scoring runners earned medals for a top-15 finish to help the Blue Devils to the victory. Freshman Drew Miller was second, junior Alex Frank placed 10th and sophomore Kasen York was 11th, with Adrian Klinetobe placing in 21st. Easton Blecke rounded out the Wayne varsity effort, finishing 24th. It was Wayne’s first boys conference title since 2011.
Only one point separated the top two teams in the girls race, with Wayne edging Crofton 23-24 to claim the conference title for the first time since 2016.
Five of the six Wayne varsity runners earned individual medals, led by sophomore Jala Krusemark’s runner-up finish. Senior Laura Hasemann was fourth and Kyla Krusemark finished fifth, with Lilyan Hurner rounding out the scoring with a 13th place finish. Olivia Hanson was 15th and Fratnzdie Barner just missed the medal stand, finshing 16th.
It was the second time both Wayne cross country teams won conference titles in the same year, matching the teams’ titles in 2010.
In JV action, Wayne’s girls ran away with first place, claiming the top five spots and six of the top eight. Norah Armstrong led the way, followed by Kennasyn Blecke, Ava Elliott, Yama Kantai and Josey Ley. Sharon Vasquez was eighth.
Mason Ley and Boden Dobbins claimed the top two spots in the JV boys race. Zander Liston was 14th, Parker Kesting was 19th and Payton Junck finished 25th. Wayne’s JV boys finished second with 34 points, placing behind Norfolk Catholic’s 20 points.
Wayne will run in C-3 district action next Thursday at Pierce Community Golf Course.
Mid State Conference
Varisty Girls Team Standings
Wayne 23, Crofton 24, O’Neill 54, Boone Central 61, Battle Creek 78.
Top 15 Medalists
1. Jordyn Arens, Crofton, 19:11.80; 2. Jala Krusemark, Wayne, 20:23.40; 3. Tya Dickau, O’Neill, 20:37.00; 4. Laura Hasemann, Wayne, 20:43.30; 5. Kyla Krusemark, Wayne, 21:08.70; 6. C.C. Kahn, NC, 21:14.30; 7. Sophia Wortmann, Crofton, 21:16.60; 8. Rylie Arens, Crofton, 21:43.50; 9. Afftynn Stusse, BCrk, 22:00.80; 10. Kassidey Beister, BCen, 22:02.50; 11. Elizabeth Wortmann, Crofton, 22:08.10; 12. Aylla Weeder, Pierce, 22:21.70; 13. Ashley Dickau, O’Neill, 22:32.60; 14. Lilyan Hurner, Wayne, 22:34.10; 15. Oliva Hanson, Wayne, 22:49.60.
Area Results
WAYNE — 2. Jala Krusemark, 20:23.40; 4. Laura Hasemann, 20:43.30; 5. Kyla Krusemark, 21:08.70; 14. Lilyan Hurner, 22:34.10; 15. Olivia Hanson, 22:49.60; 16. Frantzdie Barner, 22:55.20.
Varsity Boys Team Standings
Wayne 44, Boone Central 44, Norfolk Catholic 47, Battle Creek 51, Pierce 61, O’Neill 100, GACC 124, Crofton 148.
Top 15 Medalists
1. Jaxon Kilmurry, BCrk, 17:13.70; 2. Drew Miller, Wayne, 17:52.20; 3. Ashton Koch, Pierce, 18:10.00; 4. Kolton Kralik, GACC, 18:10.20; 5. Nathan Kalous, NC, 18:10.30; 6. Parker Clausen, BCrk, 18:17.50; 7. Zander Jarecki, BCen, 18:20.70; 8. Alec Foecking, NC, 18:24.80; 9. Logan Spence, BCen, 18:26.60; 10. Alex Frank, Wayne, 18:39.70; 11. Kasen York, Wayne, 18:43.00; 12. Giles Deeder, BCen, 18:45.30; 13. Eli Streff, Pierce, 18:51.10; 14. Jonah Ash, NC, 18:51.50; 15. Trevor Alder, O’Neill, 18:52.10.
Area Results
WAYNE — 2. Drew Miller, 17:52.20; 10. Alex Frank, 18:39.70; 11. Kasen York, 18:43.00; 21. Adrian Klinetobe, 19:21.50; 23. Ethan McCraney, 19:27.80; 24. Easton Blecke, 19:37.60.
JV Girls Team Standings
Wayne 10, O’Neill 33.
Area Results
WAYNE — 1. Norah Armstrong, 23;23.70; 2. Kennasyn Blecke, 23:24.50; 3. Ava Elliott, 23:39.60; 4. Yama Kantai, 24:51.90; 5. Josie Ley, 25:07.70; 8. Sharon Vasquez, 28:35.70.
JV Boys Team Standings
Norfolk Catholic 20, Wayne 34, Boone Central 35, O’Neill 51.
Area Results
WAYNE — 1. Mason Ley, 19:39.90; 2. Boden Dobbins, 19:54.50; 14. Zander Liston, 22:04.40; 19. Parker Kesting, 22:49.40; 25. Payton Junck, 24:31.70.
