SIOUX FALLS – Aberdeen Central’s Tate DeVries clocked a top-10 finish out of more than 500 runners in the boys’ division, while Allie Novstrup finished just outside the top 25 of the girls race, but led the Golden Eagles to a 21st place showing in the team standings of the Augustana Twilight Thursday night at Yankton Trail Park.
With temperatures pushing into triple digits, the race featured not only several of the area’s top teams and athletes, but also an adjusted schedule to account for the heat. The high school races did not start until 8 p.m.
Despite that, Central coach Eric Pedersen was pleased with his team’s ability to handle the overall situation.
“Overall, proud of all the kids today,” he said. “100+ degree day where we had lots of changes to plans and a much later jump, it would be hard to ask for anything more out of this group.”
DeVries was one of just three varsity runners for the Golden Eagle boys. The junior finished comfortably in eighth place and was the fourth South Dakota finisher in the race.
“That was a fun race to coach,” Pedersen said.
Pedersen noted that DeVries hung with the lead pack for most of the race.
“He was actually in the lead for a while, too,” Pedersen said. “He runs with a lot of confidence and has a great ability to see where he needs to put himself even early in races to see that success. So it’s nice for that to translate for him.”
Max Nelson also had a solid showing, finishing in 68th place and freshman Riley Tople was 358th overall. The boys race had just more than 500 runners.
In the girls’ race, it was Novstrup, a sophomore, setting the pace for the Golden Eagles. Novstrup claimed 26th place, one of three runners to finish within a second of each other.
“She ran well,” Pedersen said of Novstrup.
Khloe Cochran finished in 115th place for the Golden Eagles, followed by Allison Brenner in 136th, Grace Preszler in 165th, Evie Novstrup in 207th and Lilly Flood in 329th. The girls’ race – like the boys’ race – had more than 400 runners entered.
“On the girls side, we have some hope for making a push at ESD, and I was pleased with how Khloe ran as well,” Pedersen said. “She doesn’t seem to get flustered throughout races, she kind of makes moves when she sees the right opportunity and the strategy from her is really great.”
Centrals’ performances primed the Golden Eagles for a 21st place finish in the 46-team field. The Golden Eagles were a handful of points back of 20th place Tea Area.
Central will race its home course the next two weeks, first at the annual Sahli/Salmi Invitational next Thursday, followed by the Roncalli Invitational on Sept. 17. Both races will take place at Lee Park Golf Course.
To see complete meet results, click on the following link:
