Sims, Boyd and Powell lead Bulldogs at Charleston Invitational
The Bulldogs followed up on a team win in their first meet with another team title in their second meet, Saturday’s 11-school Charleston Invitational.
“It will probably be one of the largest meets we run in this season,” M-S coach Jama Grotelueschen said. “Charleston and all of their volunteers did a great job coordinating and hosting the event.
“It was wonderful to have our fans cheering on the runners. Being a parent myself, I enjoy the camaraderie of having the runners’ families around. We have such great people and families associated with this program.”
M-S, which placed its top three runners within 41 seconds of one another, ended with a team score of 62.
Runner-up Shelbyville had 75 points, followed by Mount Zion (85), Charleston (126) and St. Joseph-Ogden (142).
The format of the meet was different than what is customary in cross-country, where all runners compete at the same time.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Charleston held flighted races.
In the first group were each school’s No. 1 and 2 runners. That was followed by a race for the No. 3 and 4 runners, then the No. 5 and 6 runners and finally the No. 7 and 8 runners.
Each race was scheduled at 10-minute intervals.
To determine the overall leaders, times from each race were compiled together for one final set of results.
Fifteen Bulldogs competed, either in the varsity or open race. All 15 ran faster than they did in the opener.
Setting the pace were Elizabeth Sims (fourth in 20 minutes, 1.22 seconds), Ava Boyd (sixth in 20:08.62) and Klein Powell (11th in 20:42.00).
The next five Bulldogs in the varsity race crossed the finish line within 34 seconds of one another.
Delaney King was 20th in 21:11.74, Ella Scott was 21st in 21:13.93, Emily Bednar was 22nd in 21:18.72, Grace Lietz was 24th in 21:23.80 and Shaelin Ruzich was 32nd in 21:45.47.
In all, 87 runners participated in the Saturday meet.
M-S coach Jama Grotelueschen had mixed feelings about the race format.
“Running in a flighted race has its advantages and disadvantages,” she said. “Many of our girls are used to running in a pack and relying on teammates to set the pace.
“Our runners in the later flights had to set the pace for the entire race and race the clock.”
Grotelueschen praised the efforts of her competitors.
“Elizabeth Sims was in contention most of the race and is such an amazing competitor,” she said. “Ava Boyd had such a great race for a freshman. She executed her race flawlessly.
“Klein Powell looked really strong and won the second flight. Delaney King showed improvement from her previous race. Ella Scott and Grace Lietz worked together and led most of their race.
“Emily Bednar did a great job pushing the pace in flight No. 4. Shaelin Ruzich looked solid and was right behind her, nearly a minute ahead of the competition.”
Led by Callie Jansen, M-S swept the top five spots in the open race.
Jansen was timed in 21:54.17.
Following her for the Bulldogs were Alyssa Christensen (second in 22:25.97), Olivia Bunting (third in 22:42.35), Chloe Allen (fourth in 22:45.85), Ella Wolters (fifth in 23:04.22), Lauren Bednar (seventh in 23:30.48) and Gretchen Scheele (eighth in 25:25.06).
“Most of our runners would be running varsity on other teams,” Grotelueschen said.
Unless another meet is scheduled, M-S returns to action on Saturday (Sept. 26) at St. Joseph in a meet that also includes Monticello and Tolono Unity.
