By Brayden Dirks
On Monday, September 20th, the MMCRU cross country teams traveled to Sanborn for the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Invitational. MMCRU faced off against the teams from Alta-Aurelia, Sioux Central, Sibley-Ocheyedan, George-Little Rock, Cherokee, Hinton, South O’Brien, and HMS. The boys team placed 4th, one point behind Cherokee. Kaden Galles led the way with a second place finish in a time of 18:10. Next was Brayden Dirks with a ninth place finish in a time of 19:10. Brett Staab rounded out the three medalists for the boys with a tenth place finish and four seconds behind Dirks. Lucas Braun came next in 32nd with a time of 21:15, and Gunnar Grage rounded out the boys team with a 37th in 21:25.
The boys team also had two junior varsity runners, along with a few JV girls runners. Mason Peters placed 11th in a time of 23:47, and Max Pepper placed a spot behind him in 24:11. Audrey Etter placed 11th in the JV girls race in a time of 26:59, and Alyson Ball placed 15th in a time of 27:16. Natalie Plagman finished with a time of 31:19.
Lisa Spieler was very proud of the effort given on Tuesday, “I was very pleased with the three varsity medalists (Kaden Galles, Brayden Dirks, and Brett Staab), and the PRs (Alyson Ball, Lucas Braun, Audrey Etter, Mason Peters, and Natalie Plagman) especially considering the cool and windy conditions. The results are proof that the hard work we are putting in as a team is paying off. I’m looking forward to more improvements next week as we go to compete in Alta on Monday.” The Royals will have two meets this week. One on Monday, September 27th in Alta and on Thursday, September 30th in Paullina. Cross country meets are very interesting to watch and the team encourages everyone to come support!