The Britton-Hecla cross country team opened its season at the Redfield Invitational on Thursday and hosted its only home meet of the season yesterday (Tuesday).
Coach Stephanie Symens’ squad is back in action on Monday in Webster.
The local runners competed in the varsity, junior varsity, and middle school divisions at Redfield. A total of 30 high school teams and 26 middle school squads participated.
“It was a good, very hot first meet,” said Symens. “Despite the hot weather, we ran really well for our first week. This week we will be working on pacing, trying to get into the groove of where our mile marker times should be at. I’m looking forward to an exciting season!”
Two boys competed in a field of 64 runners for the Braves. Joseph O’Brien placed 19th with a time of 19:55.01 and Aiden Strong was 59th in 25:03.87 on the 5,000-meter course. James Valley Christian took the team title with a score of 18, followed by Leola-Frederick at 23, North Central 33, Highmore-Harrold 43, Faulkton Area 45, Sanborn Central-Woonsocket 63, Gettysburg 64, Northwestern 66, Great Plains Lutheran 84, Mobridge-Pollock 89, and Webster Area 97.
Livia Knecht was the only B-H girls varsity runner and finished 20th in a 41-runner field with a 23:55.32 clocking for the 5,000-meteer course. Herreid-Selby won the team crown with eight points Northwestern scored 15, Clark-Willow Lake 30, Redfield 34, and Aberdeen Ronncalli 50.
B-H was able to field a full team in the girls junior varsity division but did not have any JV boys runners. James Valley Christian won the girls title with six points, followed by Ipswich at 18, Highmore-Harrold 29, North Central 34, Clark-Willow Lake 50, Mobridge-Pollock 73, and Britton-Hecla 78.
Lillian Boyko led the B-H JV runners with a 33rd place finish in 21:13.65 over the 4,000-meter course in a 52-runner field. Grace Folkman placed 48th in 25:59.29, and Avery Leonard 50th in 27:38.19.
Seven boys competed in the 2,000-meter middle school race and the young Braves finished second. Miller won the team title with 22 points, followed by Britton-Hecla at 24, North Central 28, Aberdeen Roncalli 39, Ipswich 46, Wolsey-
Wessington 60, Faulkton Area 64, Clark-Willow Lake 79, Sunshine Bible Academy 82, and Florence-Henry 117.
Henry Pharis led B-H with a second place finish among 66 runners in 7:00.23. Jase Stelzer was 10th in 7:31.86, Hezekiah O’Brien 14th in 7:53.94, Reeve Knecht 34th in 8:29.82, Tripp Hagen 46th in 9:07.67, Mark Folkman 50th in 9:35.72, and Leo Schuller 56th in 10:09.63.
