Waterloo, Neb.- Conestoga’s cross country teams traveled to Sycamore Farms, where Junkstock is held, near Waterloo, Neb. to compete at the C-1 District meet on Oct. 15. As the last meet of the year, expectations were high, and the team delivered strong results. Eight out of 10 of the runners ran the best times of their career, with junior Danie Parriott setting a new school record. This was the greatest best race of the season for the boys and girls teams.

Junior Danie Parriott was the lone medal winner in the race. Her third place finish qualifies her for the state meet on Friday, Oct. 23 in Kearney. Danie’s time of 19:29.22 is the first time any CHS female runner has broken 19:30 in the 5,000 meter race. The boy’s team was led by Kaden Simmerman, who finished 24th in a time of 18:03.74.

This race was the last ever for the team’s four seniors. Jessica Poirier, Trace Widler, Dawson Hardesty and Braden Ruffner have been key in leading the team this season. These four seniors have put in time and effort all season long to ensure their last meet would be their best. Trace, Dawson and Jessica have been a part of the team since they were sophomores, when the cross country team was reintroduced to Conestoga. Braden joined as a junior, and has made a huge impact on the team by pushing his teammates to be their best.

This next week will be the last week of the 2020 cross country season for all runners. The Conestoga team will be sending one runner, Danie Parriott, who is the returning state champion from 2019 back to the state competition. This will be her third time competing at state cross country.

Girls Results:
Danie Parriott 19:29.22 (3rd), Dani Ahrens 23:06.98 (32nd), Jessica Poirier 24:13.86 (40th), Shelby Curlo 35:00.37 (57th)

Boys Results:
Kaden Simmerman 18:03.74 (24th), Ethan Williams 18:41.91 (36th), Dawson Hardesty 18:44.96 (39th), Braden Ruffner 19:13.79 (46th), Ethan Avidano 20:34.29 (59th), Trace Widler 20:45.01 (61st)