FREEMAN BOYS, MENNO GIRLS 2ND AT REGION 3B MEET
A strong contingent of local runners will head west next weekend after qualifying for the 2024 SDHSAA State Cross-Country Championships Wednesday afternoon in Scotland. That includes the entire boys team from Freeman Public and girls team from Menno, both of which finished second in the Region 3B standings. The Freeman Academy/Marion boys and girls were both fourth.
The FHS boys team, the runners’ grade in school and their finish at the Region 3B meet includes:
- Lane McCune 9 (5th)
- Brandon Mangel 9 (9th)
- Josh Oleson 8 (15th)
- Collin Randall 7 (31st)
- Korbin Jensen 7 (36th)
There were 44 runners competing.
The Region 3B runner-up team from Freeman Public is: Standing from left – assistant coach Bailey Lange, Braydan Mangel, head coach Gregg Uecker, Collin Randall, Lane McCune; kneeling from left – Owen Andersen, Josh Oleson and Korbin Jensen. PHOTO BY JEREMY WALTNER
Olivia Schultz, an eighth grader, will represent the Freeman Public girls at state. Schultz finished 13th in her region race.
The Menno girls team includes:
- Zoe Schaeffer 10 (7th)
- Ellyana Ulmer 12 (8th)
- Nora Robb 12 (21st)
- Savanah Wielenga 7 (24th)
- Briley Cross 8 (31st)
There were 42 runners competing.
The Region 3B runner-up girls team from Menno includes, from left: Elyanna Ulmer, Zoe Schaeffer, Briley Cross, Savanah Wielenga, Nora Robb and head coach Rachael Massey. PHOTO BY JEREMY WALTNER
Those from Freeman Academy/Marion qualifying for state with top-20 finishes are:
- Finley McConniel 12 (2nd)
- Hayden Schmidt 12 (8th)
- Estelle Waltner 11 (9th)
- Sieta Wiersema 12 (15th)
- Faith Pekron 7 (20th)
The state meet will be held at Hart Ranch in Rapid City next Saturday, Oct. 26. The Class B girls will run at noon and the Class B boys at 1:30 p.m.
