The way this year has gone, just being there to compete was an accomplishment. The icing on the cake was getting a little hardware at the Oct. 23 NSAA State Cross Country Championships.
After a five-year run that included three state championships and two runner-up finishes, 2020 has dealt the Malcolm boys’ cross country team plenty of blows. For Ty Brockhaus to earn the 15th-place medal and his team to finish sixth in a tight team race was a satisfying finish to a hard season.
“The boys did great,” Malcolm head coach Brie Pulec said. “The fact that they were able to come within 11 points of runner-up is a huge accomplishment when you look at where we were a month ago.”
With 87 points, Milford claimed the Class C team title. Sidney was second with 99. The third through seventh place teams were within 10 points of each other. The Clippers posted a team score of 110.
Brockhaus ran the Kearney Country Club course in 17:13 to earn the final medal in the class. Four weeks earlier, the junior ran the same course in 18:25.
“When you look at how much our times improved, you can’t help but acknowledge the hard work these boys put in,” Pulec said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the excellence they showed on the state course.”
After fighting his way back from illness earlier in the season, Dillon Beach closed out his high school career with a 34th place finish in 17:46. John Boesen – also a senior – shaved 35 seconds off his time from last month as he finished 43rd. Matthew Burbach finished 67th and lowered his time by 41 seconds. Jacob Schweitzer placed 88th and Joey Brockhaus crossed 91st.
When Malcolm competed in the UNK Invite in September, it placed 12th as a team in Class C. At the state meet, the Clippers finished ahead of five teams (Columbus Scotus, Minden, Pierce, Gothenburg and Broken Bow) that beat them in the earlier meet.
“A month ago we were in rough shape and looked like we might not even qualify for state,” Pulec said. “While we didn’t bring home as much hardware this year, we finished better than we started and that is what’s important.
“These guys never stopped working and pushing each other. I love watching our athletes go out and compete and never give up.”
