WEBSTER – A pair of runners made it two wins in a row on the same course Wednesday during the Region 1A cross country meet in Webster.
Kamryn Nesheim of Clark-Willow Lake and Jeter Scoular of Milbank both won Northeast Conference titles last Thursday and added region championships less than a week later.
Nesheim bolted out at the start, set the pace early and ran away from the field on the way to the victory.
“I kind of did the same thing at the NEC. I kind of started to figure out how to run this one,” Nesheim said. “I started doing volleyball. Instead of going to (cross country) practice I just run with my dad. We’ve been working on a lot of start and speed, so I think that’s really helped me to just get out in front right away.”
The sophomore, who won her first region title, said she is enjoying playing volleyball and it is making a difference on her running.
“I like it a lot, actually. Cross country gets so long and you’re kind of just done by the end of the year,” Nesheim said. “In volleyball we do a lot of pro agility and stuff, so I think that’s really helped my speed, too.”
Roncalli’s Addison Cassady was second, but wasn’t able to match Nesheim’s start.
“I myself, am not a good sprinter, so I can’t actually do that,” Cassady said. “I just do what I’m capable of.”
Cassady used her normal race strategy.
“Usually about my first mile is when I like to have my consistency and be comfortable in where I’m at,” Cassady said, “and my second mile I almost have to push harder to keep that pace.”
Cassady talked about her goals for next week’s state meet in Huron.
“One of my main goals is to just keep God at the top of things for my team and for those around me, especially for myself,” Cassady said. “Just to do what He’s given me to the best of my ability.”
The Cavaliers qualified their entire team for state. Roncalli finished second to Clark-Willow Lake in the team standings.
“It was nice race for us. It really was. Clark-Willow Lake was so strong. It was like they’re first, we’re second, they’re fourth, we’re fifth, going back and forth like that,” said Roncalli coach Casey Steele. “I thought our girls really ran a smart race today. They pushed themselves. Right now Clark-Willow Lake’s the better team and my hats off to them.”
Groton’s Ryelle Gilbert finished in third place. She said she accomplished her goal coming into the race.
“I was just hoping fifth place and above, and my goal was to stay behind Addison, who got second,” Gilbert said, “and I accomplished that pretty well, so I was proud of myself for doing that.”
The sophomore has had a busy fall, competing in both volleyball and soccer in addition to running cross country.
“I definitely think soccer and cross country help each other a lot,” Gilbert said. “It just helps with my endurance a lot, so in soccer I’m able to stay in the whole time without getting tired, and vice versa.”
Scoular said he used the same strategy he employed last week on the way to winning the boys’ race.
“First lap was I letting them stay with me and second lap I was going to try and pull away,” Scoular said.
The junior said it was key to get off to a good start and establish an early lead.
“It’s pretty important,” Scoular said, “especially going up that hill right away.”
Groton’s Jayden Schwan finished runner-up. He said the region meet is unlike other events during the season.
“Region always is fast, just because … you go to all the other meets, you’re going for a medal. Especially for the seniors that run, here you’re competing for another race,” Schwan said. “It comes down to this race. It could be your last, you could have one more. It’s a big deal.”
Like Gilbert, Schwan also competes in multiple sports at the same time in the fall, also being a member of the golf squad. He recently finished with golf season and is using that to motivate him for cross country.
“I came into region golf thinking, if I make it, I make it. It’s not my sport,” Schwan said. “I didn’t play very well, so I didn’t make state golf, but that just kind of made me focus on this a little bit more.”
Schwan has a unique perspective on the two sports.
“I like golf better,” he said, “I’m just better at cross country.”
When asked his goals for next week’s state meet, Schwan responded, “my goal every time I run is to finish without walking. I just kind of go out and compete, and see what happens.”
The Roncalli boys did not qualify any runners for state. The Cavaliers were led by Ben Keller on the day.
“A lot of good runners, really tough competition,” Keller said. “Full range of skill, so you always have someone to stick with the whole race.”
The eighth grader kept things positive following the following the race.
“I think my season was pretty good,” Keller said. “I got a lot better from last year and really tried my hardest.”
Steele was happy with his young boys and the strides they made this past season.
“I’m really proud of the boys,” Steele said. “I’ve said all season long, we’re a JV group of kids … and we’re running against varsity teams.”
To see complete meet results, click on the following link:
