605 Sports Staff

With cross-country in its first week of competition several meets were held Monday with varsity runners competing at 4,000 meters instead of their customary 5,000 meters

While no team points were kept at the Mitchell Invitational the Miller boys showed they could be a factor in Class A this season claiming three of the top-five finishers.

Pierce Baumberger (13:31) edged teammate Alex Schumacher (13:41) and Mitchell’s Hunter Patton (14:37) to claim the individual title. Mitchell’s Elijah Schroeder (15:19) and Miller’s Isaiah Gortmaker (15:38) rounded out the top five.

The Miller girls were nearly as impressive as the boys taking home the top two places in the girls varsity race.

Madeline Nye (18:28) finished ahead of Gabby Werdel (18:34) and Mitchell’s Londyn Schroeder (18:54) to win the girls varsity race. Mitchell’s Aspen Evers (20:22) and Mount Vernon/Plankinton’s Kyia Schmidt (20:50) rounded out the top-five. 

At the Milbank Breathe Easy meet varsity runners also contested their races over 4,000 meters.

The Milbank boys looked very strong placing four runners in the top-five. 

Milbank’s Payton Brown (13:30.92) edged Tri-State’s Kaleb Foltz (13:50) and Milbank’s James Batchelor (13:57) to win the individual race. Milbank athletes Bryan Meyer (14:34) and Isaac Graham (14:46) rounded out the top-five. 

In the girls varsity race Milbank’s Ashlynn Batchelor broke the tape first with a time of 16:17, ahead of Waubay/Summit’s Madison Zirbel and Aberdeen Roncalli’s Addison Cassidy (17:15).

Aberdeen Roncalli’s Sarah Schmidt (17:40) and Milbank’s Bianca Berry (18:00) rounded out the top-five.