Central runners tune up on state meet course

HURON – The Aberdeen Central cross country teams got an early preview of next weekend’s state cross country course Thursday, competing in the Roger Loecker Invitational at Broadland Creek Golf Course in Huron.

The Golden Eagle girls finished third in a tight showing in the team standings behind Juna Ramey’s individual victory. Central’s boys also finished third in the team standings.

Ramey outpaced the runner-up by four seconds in Thursday’s race, leading three Golden Eagles in the top eight. Morgan VanVeen finished fifth and Madelyn Walberg crossed in eighth place.

On the boys’ side, it was Christian Wells leading the way with his eighth place finish. Carson Urlacher was 13th, followed by a Golden Eagle pack that had a 12-second pack time.

Estan Foss was the leader of that pack in 18th place, followed by Tino Lopez (19th), David VanVeen (20th) and Sam Schultz (21st).

“Christian Wells ran well for us today,” said Central boys’ coach Greg Murley. “The weather elements were not ideal, but I was pleased with how our kids put that aside and competed hard. We look forward to a great week of practice in preparation for the state meet next week.”

The state cross country championships will be held in Huron on Saturday, Oct. 22.

GIRLS’ DIVISION

Team Points: Yankton 52, Pierre 63, Aberdeen Central 65, Watertown 87, Brookings 119, Huron 121.

Top 10 finishers

1, Juna Ramey, Aberdeen Central, 20:25; 2, Victoria Smith, Watertown, 20:29; 3, Devyn Van Roekel, Pierre, 20:47; 4, Thea Chance, Yankton, 20:49; 5, Morgan VanVeen, Aberdeen Central, 20:51; 6, Kate McElroy, Watertown, 20:54; 7, Shae Rumsey, Yankton, 21:02; 8, Madelyn Walberg, Aberdeen Central, 21:05; 9, Mary Rounds, Yankton, 21:20; 10, Mason Berg, Pierre, 21:23.

Other Aberdeen Central runners: 24, Kiana Joerger, 22:08; 29, Alivia Burgard, 22:30; 31, Alyssa Roehrich, 22:31; 36, Annaliese Wells, 22:45; 37, Kaylie Peldo, 22:49; 40, Angelina Lopex, 23:50; 44, Algaia Ramey, 24:39; 49, Aurelia Steiger, 26:41.

BOYS’ DIVISION

Team Points: Yankton 52, Pierre 61, Aberdeen Central 72, Brookings 98, Watertown 103, Huron 108.

Top 10 finishers

1, Dylan Payer, Yankton, 17:06; 2, Jared Lutmer, Pierre, 17:22; 3, Zach Fedde, Yankton, 17:26; 4, Cheech Harman, Huron, 17:27; 5, TJ Lien, Huron, 17:27; 6, Christian Wells, Aberdeen Central, 17:33; 7, Ty Sullivan, Watertown, 17:35; 8, Caleb Morris, Pierre, 17:47; 9, Jonathan Kahler, Brookings, 17:54; 10, Hunter Patton, Mitchell, 17:55.

Other Aberdeen Central runners: 13, Carson Urlacher, 18:09; 18, Eston Foss, 18:26; 19, Tino Lopez, 18:28; 20, David VanVeen, 18:34; 21, Sam Schultz, 18:38; 28, Rylan Johnson, 19:02; 40, Joseph Perkins, 19:49; 41, Tate Devries, 19:56.