Running into the postseason: Partridge, Holman lead cross country teams in final prep for conference

It’s been two months of racking up the mileage at daily practices and weekend meets, which resulted in season-best times for everyone at some point. The Glenrock High School cross county teams added the final three miles of the hundreds accumulated before running into the postseason – Conference and State – Oct. 10 in Casper with success.

The Herders made the short trip west to compete once again in the regular-season finale at the Glenrock Legler Invitational at Paradise Valley Golf Course in Casper. Three more personal bests were notched against quality competition from Campbell County, Fort Wasakie, Green River, Kelly Walsh, Natrona County, St. Stephens and Wyoming Indian high schools.

On the girls’ side, Kennley Blackburn set PRs a couple times this year and was back at it again in the Oil City. The sophomore ran her way to a great day and new time to chase at Conference when she soared to a time of 23 minutes, 21.72 seconds.

Junior Lexi Longhurst of Kelly Walsh took individual top honors with a 19:29.96 and led  KWHS to the team title as well with 22 points. GHS was one runner shy of a team score.

Gillian Holman’s farewell tour continued with her final time to run in Casper. The senior was second on the team when she stopped the watch at 25:15.

Lucy Ticknor is the only other senior on the team running to the finish of her career, as well. The four-year letterman posted a time of 25:28.09.
Maggie Halvorsen will join Blackburn as the only returnees next season. She had a good day as well, pinning a 25:59.81.
In the boys’ action, Owen Partridge is peaking at the perfect time and was fantastic in Casper. The junior delivered a personal-record for the second straight week when he nailed an 18:02.59.

Senior Champ Ransom of Natrona County lived up to his namesake by winning the individual title at 16:49.98.

Kelly Walsh swept team titles as they also won the boys’ contest with 32 points, just seven ahead of rival Natrona County at 39. GHS was fifth overall and scored 119.

Koi Horn has been one of the top two finishers for Glenrock every week and this one was no different. The sophomore tore his way through the 5K in 18:34.81.

Only 45 seconds separated the next two GHS standouts. Junior Haiden Ward was solid in landing a 20:13.96, just ahead of senior teammate Colter Lewis at 20:58.68.

Junior Michael Schowengerdt paced himself to a 21:15.74 to finish the regular season. Freshman Ethan Stanfield has made huge gains this year and kept that going with a third straight week of a PR, delivering a 22:13.17.

Sophomore Nick Ticknor was on Stanfield’s  heels and came through at 22:22.30. Sophomore Carson Tomlin was the next in purple and white to cross the finish line in 24:11.47.

Freshman Charlie Halvorsen was right with them and competed the three miles in 24:12.91. He was followed by senior Manny Coulter at 24:16.64 and sophomore Lane Repshire in 24:25.80.

JUNIOR HIGH
The future of the varsity was also in action before the big races. Eighth grader Rowan Hibbs returned home with a new PR of 10:43.

Sixth grader Henry Halvorsen has the second fastest time for Glenrock Junior High with a 13:30. Eighth grader Finn Repshire sprinted to the end of the two-mile race at 14:45.

A pair of seventh graders were next in times for the young Herders. Nora Halvorsen posted a 14:28 and classmate Sam Desantis clocked a 15:57.
 

Next up for the varsity runners will be the 3A Conference Championship at 11 a.m. Oct. 18 in Newcastle.