Lynx runners snare team titles at O'G

It was a dual victory for the Lynx cross country teams in their first competition of the season, the O’Gorman Invitational, which was run Aug. 25 at Pasley Park in Sioux Falls.

“Overall, the teams looked very good,” said Lynx head coach Larry Beesley. “We had a lot of solid performances with 16 individuals getting awards and varsity teams winning the opening season meet.”

The Lady Lynx paraded seven girls into the top 16, which the coach said, shows the team’s depth.

Leading the charge was Lauren Wells, who claimed fourth place behind her 16:22 run. Teammates Allison Rief and Haylee Waterfall were seventh and eighth, respectively. Rief cruised through the course in 17:03, while Waterfall posted a run of 17:10. Rounding out the top 10 was Katie Wentzy, who ran to a 17:19 finish. 

“The girls really ran well as a team working together,” Beesley said. “We are very capable of seeing some improvement as a team, and as always in cross country, we need solid races from all varsity runners to improve in team scores.”

Beesley noted the 90-second gap between his first and seventh runners. “If we can close that up a bit, under one minute, we will be a very respectful team.”

The Lynx boys had four runners finish in the top 10, starting with Britton Elkin, who competed in his very first varsity race. He paced himself to a fourth-place finish with a time of 13:55. Eli Cheever and Zach Hentschel were seventh and eighth with their respective times of 14:43 and 15:05. In his inaugural varsity race, Thomas Redford nabbed 10th place with his 15:08 effort. 

“Britton, in his first varsity race, looked very good, and had a solid summer of miles on the road with his bike and his feet,” Beesley said. “As his experience grows, I see him showing even more improvement.

Similar to the girls, Beesley said a two-minute gap separated the team’s first and fifth runners. “We need to close that up, and as we gain experience that will happen,” Beesley said. 

Both the JV boys’ and girls’ teams were third in their respective races. Natalie Moose (2nd, 14:14), Hannah Sprecher (4th, 14:34) and Caitlyn Hanson (9th, 15:13) all medaled to lead the Lady Lynx JV. Blake Thompson’s second-place run of 12:43 was the fastest time recorded for the JV boys. Quinn Gienap was fourth, crossing the finish line in 12:51.

The Lynx runners compete next at the Augie Twilight Meet on Friday, Sept. 2 at Yankton Trail Park. Races begin at 6 p.m.

 

O’Gorman Invite

Lynx boys’ results (37 runners, 2.5 miles): 4.) Britton Elkin 13:55; 7.) Eli Cheever 14:43; 8.) Zach Hentschel 15:05; 10.) Thomas Redford 15:08; 12.) Jace Christoffer 15:58; 13.) Caleb Klatt 16:10; 14.) Colter Elkin 16:14; 23.) Josef Zahn 16:34. 

Lady Lynx results (30 runners, 2.5 miles): 4.) Lauren Wells 16:22; 7.) Allison Rief 17:03; 8.) Haylee Waterfall 17:10; 10.) Katie Wentzy 17:19; 12.) Kylie Foss 17:36; 13.) Mikaela Birath 17:57; 14.) Megan Pickering 17:58; 23.) Hannah Hendrick 19:38.

JV Lady Lynx results (51 runners, 2 miles): 2.) Natalie Moose 14:14; 4.) Hannah Sprecher 14:34; 9.) Caitlyn Hanson 15:13; 27.) Ava Caron 16:37; 28.) Lexy Hamner 16:38; 46.) Mackenzie Hochhalter 19:07; 47.) Kelsey Frost 19:17.

JV Lynx boys (75 runners, 2 miles): 2.) Blake Thompson 12:43; 4.) Quinn Gienap 12:51; 9.) Josh Lee 13:17; 27.) Jack Scholten 13:44; 28.) Kyle Heidbrink 14:20; 46.) 14:40; 47.) Curtis Callahan 15:11.