PIERRE – Tate DeVries earned a spot atop the podium and Allie Novstrup clocked yet another top-10 finish as the Aberdeen Central cross country programs competed at the Eastern South Dakota Conference meet Saturday at the Pierre Municipal Golf Course.
Novstrup posted an eighth place showing to begin the day for the Golden Eagles, leading the team to a sixth place finish in the team standings.
“Allie putting herself up there to capture another ESD All-Conference finish really set the tone for the day on the girls’ side,” said Central coach Eric Pederson.
Khloe Cochran also beat the heat to post a PR and a top-25 finish, while Evie Novstrup was 31st overall.
“I challenged the girls to push up to some of those 20s or below for points, and Khloe and Evie definitely made a push for that today,” Pederson said. “A good glimpse into what we can really work hard on before state in a couple weeks.”
DeVries followed up the girls’ performance with an individual performance of his own, besting Watertown’s Dane Stark by a half-second to secure the medalist position.
“I couldn’t be more proud of Tate,” Pederson said. “We talked some strategy and he did what he needed to do to secure the individual title. Some of those other guys, Watertown especially, gave him a good run, but it was great to see him come out with that win.”
Max Nelson also posted a top-10 effort, finishing ninth overall in his final career ESD meet.
“Max … (ran) a really smart race, turning things on late to capture a few extra spots as time ran down,” Pederson said. “He’s been a really awesome senior leader out there and both of those guys have hung really tough with some teammates being injured.”
Pederson also pointed out the rest of the boys’ squad, including Riley Tople, Kyler Hanigan and Jaxon McPartland, all of whom earned personal bests while competing in their first varsity ESD meet.
“They learned a lot and that’s what counts for them right now,” Pederson said.
Central will have one final tuneup at the Roger Loecker Invitational on Thursday before turning its attention to the state meet Oct. 24 in Rapid City.
To see complete ESD meet results, click on the following link:
