Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's Madison Otto placed fifth at the War Eagle Conference cross country meet, placing the junior on the all-conference team for the third consecutive year and leading the Hawks to a fourth-place finish in the girls' team standings.

H-M-S hosted the conference meet on Monday, Oct. 12, at the Sanborn Golf & Country Club.

Hawk coach Nicole Dorhout was very pleased with Otto's performance.

"Madi is running really well right now," she said. "She has continued to improve throughout the year, and we're very excited to see how she does at the state qualifying meet. She has been on the all-conference team every year of high school so far, which is a great accomplishment."

Joining Otto in the girls' varsity race were freshman Lexi Croatt in 24th, sophomore Ashleigh Vermeer in 28th, senior Hailey Grotluschen in 30th, sophomore Jaela Anliker in 35th and sophomore Juliana Pasillas in 36th.

"These girls are all improving and working together," Dorhout noted. "Hailey has made a big jump in her performances over the past few weeks, and I'm proud of all of them. They are a very tight group of friends and have bonded a lot this season. That always makes for a rewarding experience."

On the boys' side, the team finished sixth in varsity. Sophomore Bryce Dodge finished 30th, junior Mitchell Meyers was 43rd, freshman Gavin Faulkner was 45th, freshman George Vargas finished 46th and senior Connor Pasillas finished 49th.

"These boys are all running varsity now," Dorhout said, "so the competition is getting tougher, but they're improving and working hard."

Unity Christian won both varsity team titles. The Knight girls scored 21 points and the boys scored 41.

The Hawks are now looking forward to the state-qualifying meet on Oct. 22 at Holstein.

WAR EAGLE CONFERENCE MEET

Girls' Varsity: Madison Otto, fifth (all-conference), 21:52; Lexi Croatt, 24th, 25:03; Ashleigh Vermeer, 28th, 26:38; Hailey Grotluschen, 30th, 26:54; Jaela Anliker, 35th, 29:53; Juliana Pasillas, 36th, 30:00.

MIKE PETERSEN/SENTINEL-NEWS

Sophomore Ashleigh Vermeer finished 28th at the War Eagle Conference cross country meet Oct. 12 at Sanborn.

Girls' Varsity Teams: Unity Christian 21, Gehlen Catholic 62, West Sioux 70, H-M-S 80; Incomplete teams - South O'Brien, Harris-Lake Park, MMCRU, Remsen St. Mary's, Hinton, Trinity Christian.

Boys' Varsity: Bryce Dodge, 30th, 22:00; Mitchell Meyers, 43rd, 25:06; Gavin Faulkner, 45th, 25:39; George Vargas, 46th, 25:59; Connor Pasillas, 49th, 31:32.

Boys' Varsity Teams: Unity Christian 41, Trinity Christian 56, MMCRU 64, Gehlen Catholic 90, West Sioux 102, H-M-S 159; Incomplete – Remsen St. Mary's, Hinton, South O'Brien.