September 17, 2024

Lady Panthers take silver at Wildcat Classic

By CHEYENNE ROCHE
From left, Creston sophomore Reese Strunk and freshman Cora Smith battle at the front with I-35 senior Olivia Phillips. Phillips placed first with Smith in second and Strunk in third.

From left, Creston sophomore Reese Strunk and freshman Cora Smith battle at the front with I-35 senior Olivia Phillips. Phillips placed first with Smith in second and Strunk in third. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

REDFIELD — The lady Panthers put a strong showing together Thursday at the Wildcat Classic, the cross country team placing second after freshman Cora Smith and sophomore Reese Strunk had top-three finishes.

The boys came away with a sixth-place finish in the 10-team field, led by sophomore Wyatt Goodenberger.

Creston’s Wyatt Goodenberger led the Panther boys Thursday at West Central Valley with a 12th place finish in 18:57.1, a new PR.

Creston’s Wyatt Goodenberger led the Panther boys Thursday at West Central Valley with a 12th place finish in 18:57.1, a new PR. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

Strunk and Smith settled into the top pack from the start of the girls race, pushing into the top-two places by the 1K mark. At 3,000 meters, I-35 senior Olivia Phillips made a push, passing the Creston duo.

Phillips won the race in 21:22.9. Smith and Strunk came around the final stretch together, but Smith pulled away for a second-place finish in 21:53. Strunk had a new personal-best time of 21:54.5.

Creston senior Karter Clayton earned a medal with a 14th-place finish in 24:08.7. Junior Maylee Riley ran a 24:59.5 for 18th place and junior Abby Freeman rounded out Panther scoring, placing 31st in 26:47.4, a season best.

Senior Karter Clayton runs the final stretch of the race on the track. She finished third for the Panthers with a PR of 24:08.7, good for 14th place. The girls took second to I-35.

Senior Karter Clayton runs the final stretch of the race on the track. She finished third for the Panthers with a PR of 24:08.7, good for 14th place. The girls took second to I-35. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

I-35 placed all five scoring runners in the top-15 to earn first place with 43 points. The Panthers had 61 for second, narrowly topping Pleasantville’s 63 points.

Goodenberger was the boys’ sole medalist. He ran a great pace, averaging 3:45 per kilometer. He came through the 3K at 11:16, on pace for an 18:48. His final time was 18:57, a personal best and his first time under 19 minutes.

Hector Suazo picked up pace throughout the back half of the race, placing 24th in 20:21.3.

Freshman Austin Jondle, front, and junior Hector Suazo, back, placed 38th and 24th, respectively, at West Central Valley.

Freshman Austin Jondle, front, and junior Hector Suazo, back, placed 38th and 24th, respectively, at West Central Valley. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

Freshman Austin Jondle made his debut with a 38th-place finish, running 21:56.6. Junior Kylen Parsons rounded out scoring with a 22:00.3 for 40th place, a new personal best.

The Nodaway Valley boys finished third, led by freshman Gabe Winkelmann who placed fourth in 18:01.1. The Wolverine girls didn’t score as a team, but were led by senior Jazz Christensen who placed 21st in 25:37.4.

Southwest Valley placed 10th in the boys contest, led by Matthew Means and Ashton Boswell in 32nd and 33rd, respectively. They both ran personal best times.

The Panthers return to action tonight at Winterset where they are hopeful to have senior Payton Davis back.

Cheyenne Roche

CHEYENNE ROCHE

Originally from Wisconsin, Cheyenne has a journalism and political science degree from UW-Eau Claire and a passion for reading and learning. She lives in Creston with her husband and their two little dogs.