The Centennial cross country teams were in action at the same two meets. Grace Schernikau placed eighth at UNK in the Class D girls’ race with a time of 21:39.74. Coach Rob Johansen said she ran a little slower than last year but moved up in the standings.
“She ran really well and beat some girls that struggled with the warm weather and hills,” he said.
Matthew Hoops led the boys’ team with a 45th-place finish. He and Camden Winkelman also ran a little slower than last season, Johansen said.
Other runners hadn’t seen the course before and admitted they underestimeated it, the coach said.
“We were hoping to run better than we did but got some valuable big meet experience on the state course,” he said.
At the Raymond Central Invite, the Broncos saw Schernikau run her best time of the season and finish second.
“Grace has been very consistent this year in her races, no matter the course,” Johansen said.
Marly Olsen was back in the 22-minute range where she has been and finished sixth. Josie Turnbull had a good finishing kick and placed 15th.
Winkelman and Hoops switched places again, with Winkelman leading the team in 13th.
The Broncos will run at the Southern Nebraska Conference meet Thursday, Oct. 5, starting at 4:30 p.m. at Branched Oak Lake.
