Bluejay runners open season at home

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Weather concerns encouraged officials to move up the start time and modify the format for the Charlie Thorell Invitational Sept. 2 in Seward, and Coach Kurt Holliday was afraid the meet wouldn’t be run at all.

“There was a lot of stress and worry,” he said. “We got lucky.”

He thanked everyone who helped run the meet and allowed it to go smoothly.

The Seward teams finished about mid-pack, which was what Holliday expected, although he’d hoped for better. The field included some of the top runners in the state, which made for good competition and showed the Bluejays where they could be, he said.

“We are still young and inexperienced,” he said.

Keegan Beisel led the SHS girls’ team with a 13th-place finish in 20:48.58. Holliday said she ran a great race and cut two minutes off her time trial mark.

“She wants to help the team,” he said.

Freshman Tessa Greisen made her cross country debut with a time of 21:34.31 and finished 27th and was the fifth freshman to finish. Holliday said she is still learning the sport and how to be competitive at the high school level.

“She wants to do it right,” he said. “We are really excited about her. She’ll plug a hole left from graduation.”

Karnie Gottschalk was 38th in 21:50.44 and didn’t have as good a race, Holliday said, citing nerves as a reason.

“We hope she’ll let it go by and worry about the next race. Good things will happen for her,” he said.

Eden Schulz was the fourth Bluejay across the line, finishing in 24:14.5 and 90th place. Holliday said she is still figuring out how to run cross country, which is a far cry from the sprints she runs during track season.

Natalie Wintz and Natalie Axt rounded out the SHS top six.

In the boys’ race, Nathan Nottingham was the first from Seward to cross the finish line. He was 10th with a time of 17:06.17.

He ran a solid race although it wasn’t quite as good as his race last season, Holliday said. But the coach isn’t worried about the senior.

“He will be fine,” he said.

The rest of the runners need to move up in the standings, though.

Colin Standifer was 45th with a time of 18:35.17. Michael Peery was 50th in 18:45.18, and Drew Collings was 63rd in 19:14.14. Jonathan Jurchen and Nic Classen rounded out the top six.

Holliday said Peery got back a little too far and couldn’t make up the distance. Standifer has the ability to be a top runner, and Collings wants to be successful.

“He’s a little guy with a big heart,” Holliday said.

While Sabit Duol did not score for the Jays, the senior is off to a good start this season, Holliday said. He is pushing for a varsity spot.

The Jays are to run at Aurura Friday, Sept. 10. The girls’ race starts at 4:15 p.m., with the boys’ race after that.

“I think we’ll be ready for it,” Holliday said.