Poor weather conditions made the 2000 Rock County Invitational cross country meet a challenging one for athletes and fans alike at the Adrian Country Club Thursday.
With temperatures in the 30s and wind chill readings in the teens created by a steady northwest breeze, it wasn’t the best of days for running.
The event, however, took place without a hitch, with all the junior high, junior varsity and varsity races being completed.
All three cross country programs from the Star Herald coverage area braved the conditions, turning in decent performances in face of adverse circumstances.
Luverne had runners entered in both varsity races, and one Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth girl competed at that level.
Adrian-Edgerton limited its runners to the junior high and junior varsity events.
Luverne fielded a complete boys’ varsity team that capped a six-squad field with 177 points.
Jesse Kuhlman led the Cardinals by placing 33rd in 20:38.
Nick Otten (34th in 20:47), Tony Kopp (35th in 20:53), Kyle Bitterman (37th in 21:43) and Jeff Luethje (38th in 21:50) also ran in the varsity race for LHS.
Luverne’s Hannah and Sadie Dietrich turned in top 10 performances in the girls’ varsity run.
Hannah Dietrich finished seventh with a time of 16:30. Sadie Dietrich was ninth in 16:41.
Shanna Tilstra ran in the girls’ varsity race for H-BC-E. She finished 26th in 18:36.
Here is a look at the varsity team standings and the rest of the individual results from the Rock County Invitational.
Varsity boys: Sioux Falls Roosevelt 32, Sioux Falls Lincoln 41, Lennox 57, Worthington 117, Southwest Christian 130, Luverne 177.
Varsity girls: Lincoln 28, Roosevelt 40, Lennox 73, Worthington 99.
Junior varsity boys
Luverne: Kevin Klay, 71st, 20:56.
H-BC-E: Nathan Fick, fifth, 14:59; Matt Buck, sixth, 15:08; Lee Jackson, 10th, 15:14.
A-E: Zach Hadler, first, 14:14; Josh Markl, 19th, 15:31; Jake Salter, 25th, 16:03; Paul Poppen, 55th, 17:54; Jesse Vande Kieft, 58th, 18:09; Kelly Seeman, 61st, 18:24; Jonathon Beukelman, 65th, 19:02.
Junior varsity girls
Luverne: Nicole Cronquist, 18th, 19:18; Suzanne Gluf, 26th, 20:18.
Junior high boys
Luverne: Ruston Aaker, second, 5:59; Michael Nelson, 22nd, 7:00; Travis Halfmann, 24th, 7:10.
H-BC-E: Tyler Bush, first, 5:39; Kale Wiertzema, 14th, 6:33; Travis Broesder, 15th, 6:35; Derek Haak, 21st, 6:58; Cody Scholten, 23rd, 7:09; John Sandbulte, 30th, 7:47; Justin Hinks, 34th, 9:19.
A-E: Brandon Bullerman, fourth, 6:02; Joey Bullerman, 17th, 6:44; Marcus Uithoven, 33rd, 8:15; Eldon Vaselaar, 35th, 10:55.
Junior high girls
Luverne: Victoria Arends, fourth, 6:36; Amanda Saum, seventh, 6:56; Breanna Studer, 11th, 7:26; Jessica Willers, 15th, 7:41; Michelle Riddel, 21st, 9:03.
H-BC-E: Cassi Tilstra, second, 6:33; Melinda Feucht, 12th, 7:27; Kari Roozenboom, 14th, 7:38; Amanda Tilstra, 19th, 8:12.
A-E: Samantha Ferguson, eighth, 6:58; Jenny Weiss, 17th, 8:02.