Oct. 20 was a rough day for the Centennial cross country team. The day started off well for the Broncos but took an unfortunate turn.
“The girls’ race started off good,” Coach Rob Johansen said. “Grace Schernikau was in about fifth or sixth at the mile running a 6:19 pace. At some point going down the steep hill just past the 2k, she fell and hit her head and was out of the race. Grace told me that she does not remember falling down, which tells me she must have blacked out or passed out before she fell.”
The heat was a factor for the competitors that day, he said.
Josie Butzke was the highlight for the girls’ team. She improved her time on the course at the Kearney Country Club and placed ahead of her seeding, he said.
“She has been injured most of the second half of the season and was just glad to make it to state and run,” Johansen said.
Marley Olson and Josie Turnbull both struggled with the heat, and Turnbull had to stop to use her inhaler because of her asthma, the coach said.
In the boys’ race, Camden Winkelman improved his time on the course, despite the heat. He placed 86th.
Johansen said seeing Schernikau go down may have impacted the rest of the Broncos. However, she seemed to bounce back in a few hours.
“The talk of the team started to focus on next year,” he said. “We will use this meet as a learning experience for next season as none are seniors.”
