Hawks open the season at Okoboji Cross Country Invite
The season got underway for Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn’s runners on September 1 as they competed in the Okoboji Cross Country Invite. The competition was held at Emerald Hills Golf Club in Arnolds Park.
The Hawk boys finished ninth in the team competition with a score of 236. The host Pioneers turned in the winning score of 39. A pair of upperclassmen led the way for HMS. Junior George Vargas placed 31st while senior Bryce Dodge turned in a 49th-place finish. That left the sophomores with Aiden Bush placing 62nd, Blaine Finster 64th, Ryan Grotluschen 67th and Damian Dodge 72nd.
Only four runners posted times for the Hawk girls, not enough to qualify for the team competition. That was won by Sibley-Ocheyedan with a score of 58. Sioux Center was a close second after compiling a 65. Sophomore Gracie Knobloch was the top HMS finisher, placing 45th. Alexis Croatt, a junior who missed all of last season due to injury, finished 47th. Senior Juliana Pasillas came in 61st. Freshman Clara Funk was competing in her first meet and placed 65th.
Boys Varsity Team Results: Okoboji 39, Sioux Center 47, Sibley-Ocheyedan 114, Sioux Central 121, George-Little Rock/Central Lyon 138, Cherokee 155, MMCRU 157, West Lyon 211, HMS 236, OABCIG 265, South O’Brien 281.
HMS Individual Results: George Vargas, 31st, 20:07.90; Bryce Dodge, 49th, 21:03.30; Aiden Bush, 62nd, 22:38.30; Blaine Finster, 64th, 22:53.40; Ryan Grotluschen, 67th, 23:03.10; Damian Dodge, 72nd, 24:32.60.
Girls Varsity Team Results: Sibley-Ocheyedan 58, Sioux Center 65, Cherokee 85, George-Little Rock/Central Lyon 103, Okoboji 105, West Lyon 108, Sioux Central 147, Emmetsburg 194, OABCIG 263.
HMS Individual Results: Gracie Knobloch, 45th, 25:31.90; Alexis Croatt, 47th, 25:40.60; Juliana Pasillas, 61st, 28:17.50; Clara Funk, 65th, 31:02.70