Milford cross country opened the 2022 season with meets in Seward and Minden and came home from each with at least one medal.
Lilly Kenning finished ninth in 20:53.47 at the Charlie Thorell Invitational in Seward Sept. 1. The sophomore was the first runner from a non-Class A school to finish.
Kaleb Eickhoff led the boys’ team, just missing a medal with a 22nd-place finish in 18:04.62. Gavin Dunlap was 27th, Hudson Mullet 38th and Avery Carter 57th.
The team finished second in the C/D competition, Coach Michele Kontor said. Eickhoff was the third finisher in Classes C and D.
“It’s a tough meet because there are so many Class A schools,” Kontor said.
The Eagles have to replace four strong runners this season, she said. Eickhoff, Dunlap and Mullet will be looked to for leadership. She said Avery Carter, a freshman, looked good at Seward and earned the No. 4 spot.
Kontor said Carter is a sprinter in track, so he has good foot speed. The endurance will come as he continues the season, she said.
She was pleased to see Milford finish ahead of Seward in the team standings.
“It’s always good when you can beat Seward,” she said.
The Eagles came back Sept. 3 to run at Minden. Kenning was the champion in the girls’ race, finishing in 19:39, setting a new school record.
“She looked strong and confident,” Kontor said.
Victoria Mink, who missed the Seward meet with illness, finished 14th.
Kontor said the heat bothered Eliza McGuire and Ellison Piening at Seward, so the cooler temperatures of the morning race at Minden were good for them.
Eickhoff placed sixth in the boys’ competition with a time of 17:49. Mullet was ninth and Carter 20th.
Milford finished fourth in the girls’ team standings and fifth in the boys.
While he’s not running varsity, Sirius Jolly has been the biggest success story on the team, Kontor said.
“He trains hard. He went out for track. He’s put in a ton of miles, and he’s cut the most time,” Kontor said.
Jolly’s time at Seward, 22:35.25, was two minutes faster than his previous career best. He then ran a 21:30 at Minden, cutting another minute off his time.
The Eagles will host their home invitational Thursday, Sept. 8, at Doane University. The girls’ race will start at 5 p.m., with the boys to follow.
