Two Area Runners Claim Medals At State Cross Country

Two Antelope County runners sprinted their way to medals in Class D of the 2018 Nebraska State Cross Country Championships in Kearney on Friday.

Neligh-Oakdale senior Cole Belitz was the top area finisher, placing 12th in a time of 17:50.7. Elkhorn Valley sophomore Hunter Bennett wasn't far behind, as he claimed the final medal of the boys race for 15th place in 17:58. There were 143 boys in the competition. Both runners shaved significant time off of their first state appearances in 2017. Belitz ran 55 seconds faster this year and moved up 42 places. Bennett ran 32 seconds faster and gained 27 places.

Emma Bixler, a Neligh-Oakdale junior, made her state debut in the Class D girls race. Bixler finished 24th out of 144 girls, crossing the finish line in 21:40. 

Warrior coach Rick Eickholt said both of his runners, Bixler and Belitz, set new school records for state meet finishes. The previous boys record was held by Tyler Pedersen (18:31 in 2003) and the girls was held by Kasi Grosserode (21:54 in 2014). They are also the school's highest finishers at state and Belitz is Neligh-Oakdale's first medalist.

"I definitely think it was a great way to cap off my cross country career," Belitz said. "I'm glad I don't have to run anymore races, but I'm definitely glad that it ended in a medal. All of the hard work paid off. Being able to come here two times and finish with a medal is pretty awesome."

Bennett said he was pleased with his state race as well.

"I think today went pretty good overall," he said. "I just wanted to get a medal. I kind of used Cole to keep my pace and I just wanted to stay close to him because I knew he was going to medal. Hopefully next year we can get higher and bring the full team."

First year coach Janet Rood said she was proud of Bennett's performance at state.

"Hunter, I think, just felt like he had nothing to lose today," Rood said. "He's not a senior so it wasn't his last race. There was no pressure, he was just going to give it all he had and see how it turned out. We knew he was going to be in the top third, so he just gave it his all. I'm so proud of him. And the finish was incredible."

With all of the runners crossing so quickly and some in packs, it was difficult to see what place they earned. The Falcon coach said she was "on pins and needles" waiting to find out the official results, but when she learned that Bennett had earned the last medal slot, she felt "overwhelming excitement."

"I couldn't believe in my first year of coaching that I have a state medalist, so it was just overwhelming all together," Rood said. "I am just really proud of him."  

As Neligh-Oakdale's coach wrapped up his 25-year career at state, he got a little choked up expressing his feelings on his final state cross country meet.

"Obviously there are all sorts of emotions at this time," Eickholt said.  What most people don't understand is that, as a coach, you feel what your athletes feel. I know Emma is kinda beating herself up right now, but I'm so proud of the season she had. She was deserving of a medal. It just didn't work out today. That's why everyone has to show up and the cards played out like they did. She is, even though she didn't bring home a medal today, one of the top 15 runners in the state in Class D."

Holding back tears, he said Belitz's finish was a great way for both of them to end their careers.

"As far as Cole, it was a perfect ending to 25 years, I'm so proud of him," Eickholt said. "Like I said, I've got all sorts of emotions right now. A lot of good ones, a lot of memories. It's time to hand it over, and the program will be in good hands. Coach (Kali) Bohling has been an amazing asset to our team."