New course proves tough for local runners

Running a new course caused a bit of trouble for the Kimball High School cross country team as they opened their season at the Riverview Golf Course in Scottsbluff on Thursday, Aug. 24.

Though senior Kaden Adrian led the Kimball runners through the course, he was unable to complete the race, according to coach Tiffany Johnson.

"Had he finished, I feel he would have been in the medal winning with Thomas (Lenzen)," Johnson said.

Kimball competed against a field of 214 athletes for their opening competition, with Lenzen taking top local honors in 19:48 and placing 23rd.

Following Lenzen was Garrett Pedersen in 22:29, Nicholas Thomas-Lewis in 22:34, Brady Kilgore in 23:36, Cole Henton in 25:43, Jordan Cluff in 27:17, Chris Barker in 27:20, Brandi Councilman in 29:48, Alex Reader in 29:58 and Alexander Flores in 30:14.

"Overall it was a good day and we were pleased with the effort that our athletes gave," Johnson said. "It was a new course for all of us, we usually run at Scottsbluff Country Club, so we were at a slight disadvantage telling them where to go and how far was left."

Junior high competitors also competed with the top ten earning medals, including two young Longhorns, Chantel Malson and Caelyn Long.

In the girl's junior high division, with a field of 62 runners, Malson earned 5th place with a time of 13:56 followed closely by Long, in 7th, with a time of 14:01. Other Kimball runners were Anabela Whitehead in 16:40, Maddison Merryfield in 16:51, Ma Louise Tambanillo in 22:35 and Alycia Vrbas in 22:47.

Kimball junior high boys competed in a field of 75 runners and Matthew Johnson led the local efforts, finishing his course in 13:30 for 21st, followed by Trey Schindler in 14:52, James McGinnis in 15:44, Xavier Thomas-Lewis in 16:47 and Gideon Casimiro in 22:37.

The Kimball Longhorns will race again this Friday, Aug. 31, in Gering.