Lynnville-Sully Boys Capture Cross Country Title at South Hamilton

BREAKING: The Lynnville-Sully boys cross country team triumphed at the South Hamilton Invitational on October 9, 2023, clinching the meet championship with an impressive score of 74 points. Their remarkable performance was driven by two top-five finishes, solidifying their status as a force in Class 1A.

This urgent victory matters greatly to the Hawks, who placed all five of their scoring runners in the top 30, showcasing their depth and resilience against strong competition. The boys outpaced the runner-up, Ogden, by a significant margin of 22 points, as they look to build momentum heading into the rest of the season.

Leading the charge for Lynnville-Sully, Colton Alberts finished second in the boys’ 5K race with a time of 17 minutes, 6.7 seconds. His teammate, Blake Wilmesmeier, secured fifth place, clocking in at 17:37.27. The Hawks’ scoring lineup also included Madden Gunsaulus (18:52.65), Ethan Dunsbergen (19:09.41), and Sam Terlouw (19:19.48), who finished 19th, 25th, and 29th, respectively.

Head coach Darin Arkema expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, “Hungry for a victory is how they ran.” This victory follows their strong showing at Wartburg, where they had recently climbed in rankings, indicating their growing competitiveness.

In the girls’ division, the Lynnville-Sully team faced challenges but still managed a tie for fifth place with 132 points, ultimately finishing sixth due to a tiebreaker with Panorama. The absence of top runner Mandeesa Vos, sidelined by illness, undoubtedly impacted their team score.

Coach Arkema noted, “The girls were without Mandeesa, so we no doubt were going to be affected in our team score,” highlighting the potential for greater achievement had the team been at full strength. Notably, Emma Parkinson led the Hawks with an eighth-place finish, clocking in at 20:51.11.

The girls’ competition saw West Marshall take the title with 59 points, followed by Madrid in second with 86 points, and Collins-Maxwell in third with 95 points. The overall depth of the field included strong performances from ranked teams, creating a highly competitive atmosphere.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Hawks to see how they adapt and respond in future meets. Their next challenge will be crucial in determining their trajectory as they strive for excellence in both boys’ and girls’ divisions.

This victory not only boosts the morale of the Lynnville-Sully team but also highlights their potential as they aim for further success in the upcoming races. As the season unfolds, fans and supporters are eager to see how this championship win will propel them forward.