McCook cross country trio makes state

McCook senior Riley Mai (left) will be one of three Bison competing at next week’s Nebraska State Cross Country Meet.

Gazette file photo

OGALLALA, Neb. — Freshman Grace Cappel captured Class B’s final individual state spot at the B-4 district cross country meet on Thursday and joins two other McCook Bison in Kearney next week.

Senior Riley Mai (ninth/17:07.09) will represent the Bison boys as expected since he’s been a been consistent top 10 placer all season.

Junior Elsi Rodewald has reached the top five regularly for McCook’s girls — and nothing changed on Thursday.

Rodewald finished a Bison-best fourth overall (19:46.5) behind only Scottsbluff champ Brooke Holzworth (19:19.59), Lexington’s Madison Smith (19:28.8) and Hastings’ Chelsey Espinosa (19:32.4).

Meanwhile, Cappel crossed the finish line at 21:19.7 — just in time to complete the 15 individual qualifiers.

Cappel outran North Platte senior Olivia Redhouse (21:23.2) for that 15th place.

The McCook trio will challenge Class B’s best at Kearney Country Club on Friday, Oct. 19. Watch for more details next week.

Unfortunately, Bison teammates Josh Hegwood (16th/17:37) and TJ Renner (19th/17:44/7) were the first two boys to not quite make state.

The top three teams also advance, but Bison boys were fifth (112 points) just behind North Platte (111).

Hastings (48), Lexington (54) and Gering (101) qualified teams.

McCook’s girls placed sixth (125 points) as Lexington (44), Hastings (59) and North Platte (92) advance to Kearney.

Following McCook’s state duo of Rodewald and Cappel, sophomore Megan Hodgson finished 35th (23:28.8).

Soph Lexi Hauxwell took 36th overall (23:30.3) and freshman Joslyn Hammond 42nd (24:26.59).

Other leading Bison boys were senior Isaac Hegwood (28th/18:10.9) and junior Carson Richards (42nd/19:23.8).

Junior Colton Craig was 44th (20:08.2).