Two Warriors Qualify For 2014 State Cross Country Meet

Jayda Chance earned a repeat trip to the state meet, and teammate Kasi Grosserode qualified for state in her first year of cross country. 

The sophomore runners led the way for the Neligh-Oakdale girls, which placed fourth overall in the team standings.

"I'm very pleased and proud of the way the girls competed today, especially when you consider how close they came to actually qualifying, while dealing with the adverse conditions they were dealing with," Coach Rick Eickholt said. "Two weeks ago we didn't even think we'd be able to compete for team honors."

Grosserode finished in 4th place with a time of 22:23 and Chance was 13th with a 23:23 in the Class D-4 District Cross Country Meet held at the Atkinson-Stuart Country Club on Thursday afternoon. Brittany McConnell was 39th with a time of 27:33 and Courtney Pellatz was 48th with a 29:08.

"Kasi's performance is the highest finisher we've ever had at a district meet, and the girls race was loaded with talent, as she finished in front of two individuals who have been state medal winners in the past," he said. "Jayda qualified for the second straight year, which only one other female runner for N-O has done (Brittany Mosel in 2004 and 2005)."

Grosserode and Chance will compete at the 2014 NSAA State Cross Country Championship on Friday, Oct. 24. The state meet will be held at the Kearney Country Club, and the Class D girls are scheduled to begin their race at noon. Click here for state information, including admission costs and rules and regulations.

For the Warrior boys, Eickholt said they had "their best team performance of the year" with a 9th place finish at districts. 

Michael Peinke crossed the finish line in 20:38 for 26th, followed by Connor Knievel with 21:25 for 38th; Jordan Chelle with 22:15 for 41st; Dallus Christiansen with 22:21 for 45th; and Jakub Raspl with 22:40 for 48th. 

"A strong performance by the quartet of Jakub, Jordan, Dallus and Connor allowed us to have the strongest team showing of the year, finishing in front of at least three teams that we hadn't beaten all year," he said.

There were runners from 17 schools competing in the meet. The top 15 individual medalists earned a trip to state, while the top 3 teams qualified. 

Click here for the full district meet placings and times.

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