The cross country team went to Arkansas on Saturday, September 22nd to compete in the Chili Pepper Race. Schools from Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma participated. The top 7 boys and girls from our team ran at the race and Coach Nigg and Coach Bookout ran as well.

“We usually go to Rim Rock every year, but we wanted to change it up and see some collegiate level athletes,” Bookout said.  “It just so happened that our local schools, WSU, Newman were there. It was a great opportunity for our kids.”

Coaches Nigg and Bookout ran a 10k. Coach Nigg placed 45th overall with her age group and  had a time of 44 minutes and 48 seconds. Coach Bookout placed 14th overall with his age group and had a time of 38 minutes and 57 seconds.

Our top 7 Cross country boys ran a 5k race. The boys and girls ran separately.  Michael Iyali placed 40th with a time of 16 minutes and 27 seconds, Andrew Setser placed 183rd with a time of 17 minutes and 23 seconds, Jackson Setser placed 270th with a time of 17 minutes and 54 seconds, Brian Ayers placed 315th with a time of 18 minutes and 13 seconds, Colby Frey placed 332nd with a time of 18 minutes and 19 seconds, Jared Milner placed 369th with a time of 18 minutes and 32 seconds, and Lane Werth placed 468th with a time of 19 minutes and 16 seconds. There were a total of 651 boys who ran the 5k and their were a total of 87 teams. As a team the boys placed 35th!

Our top 7 Cross Country girls also ran a 5k race. Patricia Koma placed 88th with a time of 20 minutes and 36 seconds, Nayelly Rosales placed 180th with a time of 21 minutes and 34 seconds, Keely  Sargent placed 310th with a time of 22 minutes and 54 seconds, Micaela Cruz placed 429th with a time of 24 minutes and 26 seconds, Emily Vizcarra placed 459th with a time of 25 minutes and 4 seconds, Kayla Mendoza placed 461st with a time of 25 minutes and 6 seconds, and Adriana Gallegos placed 466th with a time of 25 minutes and 10 seconds. A total of 576 girls ran the 5k and there were 79 teams. As a team the girls placed 48th!

“We laughed, we ran in the rain, we got muddy, we danced, we sang in the car, and we ran our hearts out,” Coach Nigg said.