McCook, Wyoming runners flourish at Freedom Run

McCook High 2022 alum Joslyn Hammond is excited to finish the Freedom Run 5K to kick off Culbertson’s Fourth of July festivities Monday morning.

Courtesy Photo

ULBERTSON, Neb. — To kick off 2022 Culbertson’s Fourth of July celebration, dozens of runners and walkers took to streets for the Freedom Run 5K and 10K race Monday.

Hayden Honholt of Rawlins, Wyo., finished the 5K race in 17 minutes, 24 seconds, claiming first for the men and overall.

McCook High state track medalists Leah Spencer and Shawna Wilkinson, both of Culbertson, crossed the finish line together as the first women to complete the 5K in 23:26.

Troy Swartz (above) finishes the Freedom Run 10K as the top male finisher Monday morning at Culbertson. Sammy Jo Rodewald (below) was the first finisher for Freedom Run 10 K Monday in Culbertson.

Courtesy Photo

In the 10K, McCook High School cross country and track standout Sammy Jo Rodewald was the top overall finisher with a time of 46:24.

Troy Swartz of McCook was close behind and claimed the men’s top spot, finishing in 46:38.

Top three finishers in each division:

Courtesy Photo

5K

Women, 19 and under: 1. Leah Spencer, 2. Shawna Wilkinson, 3. Joslyn Hammond.

20-29: 1. Pearl Brown, 2. Madison Hanke, 3. Tricia Wagner.

30-39: 1. Joy Farr, 2. Rachel Grafel, 3. Kira Morthole.

40-49: 1. Andi Cappel, 2. Kristyn Clapp, 3. Sara Wells.

50-59: 1. Jennifer Swartz.

60 and over: 1. Diane Ruppert, 2. Sharon Beiber, 3. Cindi Grafel.

Men, 19 and under: 1. Bruce Teter, 2. Grant Cappel, 3. Caleb Wilkinson.

20-29: 1. Jacob Viox, 2. Cale Brown, 3. Clayton Skolout.

30-39: 1. Hayden Honholt, 2. Jake Koebel, 3. Nick Nothnagel.

40-49: 1. Mike Farr, 2. Ryan Morthole, 3. Mike Bauer.

50-59: 1. Willam Hanke.

60 and over: 1. Darrell Meister, 2. Kyle Grafel, 3. Dennis Fahrenbruch.

10K

Women, 19 and under: Sammy Rodewald

40-49: 1. Michelle Schmidt, 2. Carrie Roberts, 3. Marissa Lindau.

60 and over: 1. Claryce Fritsche.

10K

Men, 30-39: 1. Landon Keller.

40-49: 1. Josh Cox, 2. Jim Riener.

50-59: 1. Troy Swartz.

60 and over: 1. Jim Mitnik, 2. Dave Smith.

As a warm-up, the kids (many with parents in tow) ran their own 1/3-mile and 1-mile fun runs, earning medals for getting up and moving on the Fourth of July.

The Freedom Run is sponsored and coordinated by Community Hospital.

The Freedom Run is part of the Republican River Fitness Series, which is coordinated by the McCook YCMA with sponsorship from Community Hospital.

More information about the series and upcoming races can be found at mccookymca.