'Force' is strong with relentless Bison girls

McCOOK, Neb. —The smoky haze above Heritage Hills certainly wasn’t from McCook girls sputtering through their Bison Invitational Thursday afternoon.

McCook’s machine was running strong with sophomore Sammie Rodewald dashing in front of everyone to about a 14-second victory and her third invite championship this season.

Meanwhile, Bison freshman Sienna Dutton conquered those final tough uphill captures for ninth place among nearly 60 varsity competitors.

McCook’s Joslyn Hammond showed a runner can actually smile while clearing all the peaks and valleys of Heritage Hills Thursday afternoon. Bison senior teammate Lexi Hauxwell (below) also shows the intensity while staying several steps ahead of numerous challengers.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

Senior Grace Cappel was just two spots behind in 11th, and sophomore Shayna Wilkinson also claimed a Top 15 place.

“Sammie continues to be a force for us,” coach Tom Sughroue said about last year’s Class B Top 10 state medalist. “Along with the rest of the girls varsity. We had four girls in the top 15.”Anytime you are able to do that you’re running well as a team!”

Senior Lexi Hauxwell also cracked the top 20 to give McCook five among that elite group.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCook was only five points from a third title. Only the North Platte Bulldogs were slightly faster behind three top eight finishers.

Chase County’s Jordan Jablonski — who also owns two invite titles already this season — led other Gazette-area runners in 12th place overall.

Caelyn Long reached 22nd for the Longhorns.

Team race: 1. North Platte 31, 2. McCook 36, 3. Sidney 39, 4. Ogallala 64, 5. Holdrege 86, 6. Chase County 100, 7. 7. Cambridge 123, 8. Sutherland 136.

8. Top 15 finishers: 1. Samantha Rodewald, MC, 20:16.58; 2. Zarah Blaesi, NP, 20:30.43; 3. Lydia Peters, SID, 20:51.15; 4. Lindee Henning, OGA, 21:04.78; 5. Miah Hoppens, OGA, 21:30.07; 6. Talissa Tanquary, SID, 21:37.94; 7. Evelyn Blaesi, NP, 21:57.69; 8. Nelia Rivas, NP, 22:02.87; 9. Sienna Duton, MC, 22:18.23; 10. Lacy Biltoft, NP, 22:18.68; 11. Grace Cappel, MC, 22:19.01; 12. Jordan Jablonski, CC, 22:31.02; 13. Jenu Peters, SID, 22:43.53; 14. Alexis Hoatson, NP, 22:47.35; 15. Shawna Wilkinson, MC, 22:53.67.

Other area best placers:

Top 20: Lexi Hauxwell, MC, 24:15.24.

Top 30: 22. Caelyn Long, CC, 24:31.92; 24. Joslyn Hammond, MC, 24:51.45; 25. Brenna Deterding, CAM, 25:04.93; 26. Chayse Keith, HITCH, 25:19.71; 29. Morgan Peterson, CC, 26:01.37.

Top 40: 31. Megan tenBensel, CAm, 26:16.5; 33. Paige Sickels, CAM, 26:28.71; 40. Bailey Hidy, HITCH, 27:10.99.