Murray, Neb.–As the fall sports seasons are coming to a close, postseason events are here for the Conestoga cross country team. The team emphasizes training all year long to prepare for the conference, district and state championships. The time is now for runners to see all of their hard work pay off.

Cougar runners competed in the Nebraska Capitol Conference meet this past Thursday, Oct. 8 at Walnut Grove Park in Millard. Danie Parriott was the lone conference medalist, finishing in second place with a time of 20:59. Kaden Simmerman led the boys team with a 25th place finish in 20:00.3. Both the boys and girls teams finished fifth in the 10-team race.

The team only has one guaranteed meet left, which is districts, then it’s on to state. For the four seniors on the team, this next race could be their last. The stakes are mounting, and the team is hard at work preparing to have their best race of the season.

At districts, a team qualifies for state by finishing in the top 3 positions. To qualify for state individually, runners have to place in the top 15 of the race. The district race will be hosted by DC West and the course is located at Sycamore Farms near Waterloo, Neb.

Girls Results:
Danie Parriott 20:59.00 (2nd), Dani Ahrens 24:18.00 (20th), Jessica Poirier 27:51.00 (28th), Shelby Curlo 37:23.00 (38th)

Boys Results:
Kaden Simmerman 20:00.26 (25th), Braden Ruffner 20:07.35 (26th), Ethan Williams 20:09.22 (27th), Dawson Hardesty 20:36.91 (31st), Scott Dufault 22:17.04 (38th), Trace Widler 23:06.31 (43rd)