Southwest boys run to Arapahoe championship

ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Southwest’s cross country boys took a team championship thanks to three top 15 placers during the Arapahoe Invitational on Friday.

Senior Jake O’Dea earned his second title of September and it wasn’t even close.

O’Dea conquered the Arapahoe test in 19:30 which was 51 seconds faster than top contender Alex Krinha from Paxton (20:21).

Bruce Teter placed eighth overall for the Roughriders among 52 varsity finishers.

Teeter (21:10) joined O’Dea in leading Southwest to a 17-point victory over Paxton among the eight varsity teams competing.

Cater VanPelt claimed 15th place with his 22:05 time and freshman Cole Barnett earned 19th (22:44). John Stritt (38th/25:50) completed the Roughriders’ champion effort.

Maywood-Hayes Center took third place, just one point behind Paxton. Logan Littrell led the Wolves as he reached the top 10 (21:33).

Alma/Southern Valley finished fourth (66 points) just like team leader A.J. Russell (20:35) during this race across the Arapahoe Municipal Golf Course.

Arapahoe placed sixth in the team race, matching Warrior leader Ashton Vargas (20:59). Vargas was only four seconds from claiming a top five place.

A full rundown of team scores, top 10 placers and other area leading runners:

Teams: 1. Southwest 34, 2. Paxton 51, 3. Maywood-Hayes Center 52, 4. Alma/Southern Valley 66, 5. Brady 76, 6. Arapahoe 77, 7. Sumner-Eddyville-Miller 102, 8. Maxwell 136, 9. Alma/Southern Valley JV 142.

Top 10 placers: 1. Jake O’Dea, SW, 19:30; 2. Alex Kriha, PAX, 20:21; 3. Ivan Varela, Northern Valley (Kan.), 20:22; 4. A.J. Russell, Alma-SV, 20:35; 5. Cooper Franzen, Brady, 20:56; 6. Ashton Vargas, ARAP, 20:59; 7. Jackson Sinsel, Wallace, 21:00; 8. Bruce Teter, SW, 21:10; 9. Brian Bercomo, Northern Valley, 21:28; 10. Logan Littrell, M-HC, 21:33.

Other team leaders:

Top 20: 11. Reilley Einspahr, ARAP, 21:48; 15. Carter VanPelt, SW, 22:05; 17. Mauricio Diaz-M-HC, 22:21; 18. Eli Handsaker, M-HC, 22:32; 19. Cole Barnett, SW, 22:44.

Top 30: 22. Magdaleno Hernandez, M-HC, 23:08; 23. Michael Edgar, Alma/SV, 23:34; 24. Chet Fisher, Alma/SV, 23:40; 27. Jon Moore, M-HC, 23:50;28. Trevor Brown, Alma/SV, 2400; 29. Kristaps Drunka, Alma/SV, 24:20; 30. Jason McIntosh, M-HC, 24:26.