Cross country takes on UNK Invite, SPVA Thursday

    Chase County cross country runners faced a tough field and a tough course at the UNK Invite Sept. 27.
    The meet had divisions for Classes A, B, C, D.
    CCS battled 27 girls teams  and 36 boys teams.
    Head Coach Carl Zuege said it was a very warm day with a huge field.
    Zuege said 360 boys and just over 200 girls began the race in Class C.
    The course threw a curve ball at runners early in the race.
    Zuege said the first mile is a mess.
    A sharp, narrow turn about  a half mile into the race nearly brought runners to a halt as they waited for space to get through, Zuege said.
    Jordan Jablonski had the best finish of the CCS runners. Jablonski finished 28th.
    “I thought that Jordan had a really good race on the girls side, placing in the top 30. She got out and was in 30th place at the one-mile mark, and stayed right in that area the entire race,” Zuege said.
    Morgan Peterson finished 75th. Caelyn Long was 115th, McKenzie Vogt placed 133rd and Madelynn Hanes was 147th.
    The Longhorns girls’ side, made up of juniors and seniors, has more experience on the course than the boys’ team does.
    Navy Smith was the boys’ team’s top finisher, taking 146th. Zuege said the freshman ran well for his first time running at Kearney.
    Mason Tyerman was the only CCS boys’ runner who had been on the course. Tyerman finished 158th.
    “It was understandable that there were some growing pains for our team,” Zuege said.
    Trevin Moreno has been battling through some injuries, Zuege said, and finished 167th despite not being full strength.
    Zuege said he expects Moreno to be good to go for this week’s conference meet.
    Zuege also complimented Colin O’Neil with a good run. O’Neil was 198th.
    Rounding out Chase County’s runners were Nick Rau, 221st; Andrew Wiest, 222nd; Peyton Dubas, 252nd; Kobe Norman, 270th; Gavin Wisnieski, 280th; and Emmitt Zuege., 283rd.
    Overall, Zuege said CCS has been going to UNK for about 15 years.
    He likes the chance to get his runners on the same course that will hold the state cross country meet Oct. 22.
    Last week the Longhorns ran at Ogallala on the site that will host Chase County’s district meet Oct. 14.
Up next
    CCS will finish its preparations for the postseason with the SPVA meet Thursday at Grant.
    The meet will begin at 4 p.m. at the Grant Golf Club.
    Varsity and JV races will be held over the 5,000 meter course.

UNK Invite, Sept. 27, 2021
Women’s Class C team results—1. Lincoln Christian, 60; 19. Chase County, 303. 28 teams.
Women’s CCS individual results— 28. Jordan Jablonski, 22:56.70; 75. Morgan Peterson, 25:15.95; 115. Caelyn Long, 26:58.62; 133. McKenzie Vogt, 27:48.94; 147. Madelynn Hanes, 28:54.61. 187 runners.
Men’s Class C team results—1. Sidney, 48; 33. Chase County, 566. 37 teams
Men’s CCS individual results— 146. Navy Smith, 21:24.69; 158. Mason Tyerman, 21:46.69; 167. Trevin Moreno, 22:10.40; 198. Colin O’Neil, 22:46.07; 221. Nick Rau, 23:23.37; 222. Andrew Wiest, 23:33.24; 252. Peyton Dubas, 25:00.74; 270. Kobe Norman, 25:59.18; 280. Gavin Wisnieski, 26:46.16; 283. Emmitt Zuege, 27:04.76. 301 runners.