Pushing the pace
Hawks run faster times at Okoboji Invitational
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MIKE PETERSEN/SENTINEL-NEWS
Lexi Croatt sets her sights on the finish line at the Okoboji Invitational. She finished 42nd overall in the varsity race.
Times for Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn cross country runners at the Okoboji Invitational were generally faster than they were at the same venue a year ago. Runners from 18 area schools competed on Aug. 31 at the Emerald Hills Golf Club.
All of the Hawk boys who competed there a year ago ran faster times in 2023. Leading the way was George Vargas, who finished 15th with a time of 18:20. He was followed by Ryan Grotluschen, 30th, 19:47; Aiden Bush, 34th, 20:20; Damian Dodge, 43rd, 21:19; and Blaine Finster, 50th, 21:32. Freshman Easton Teal, running in his first varsity race, placed 68th with a time of 23:18.
MIKE PETERSEN/SENTINEL-NEWS
Ryan Grotluschen rounds the final curve on his way to a 30th-place finish at the Okoboji Invitational.
Sioux Center won a close battle with the hosts in the team standings. The Warriors scored 37 points while Okoboji was second with 40. Other results were Sioux Central 91, Sibley-Ocheyedan 93, Cherokee 116, H-M-S 145, George-Little Rock/Central Lyon 186, West Lyon 191 and South O'Brien 223.
Times for the H-M-S girls also showed improvement. Lexi Croatt turned in the best finish, placing 42nd with a time of 23:56. Gracie Knobloch finished 48th, 25:01; Kamryn Ebel placed 58th, 27:42; Jocelyn Abonce was 60th, 28:12; and Clara Funk came in 64th, 29:44.
The Sioux Center girls dominated the field, scoring 29 points. Sioux Central was the runner-up team with 80. Other schools with complete teams were Okoboji 82, Cherokee 86, G-LR/CL 96, Emmetsburg 147 and H-M-S 200.
In the JV races, Kamrynn Visser placed 62nd with a time of 35:11, while Carter Dolphin was 40th, 26:41; Parker Salton was 41st, 27:21; and Moises Gonzalez was 44th, 29:02.
H-M-S competes at West Lyon on Sept. 11 and at Sioux Central on Sept. 14.
