The Waseca Bluejays cross country teams opened the season with strong efforts at the Bill Glomski Invitational on Thursday.
Because of excessive heat concerns, race distances were shortened for all competitors. The varsity races, normally contested over 5,000 meters, were reduced to 3,200 meters to help protect the health and safety of the runners.
The Waseca girls varsity team turned in an impressive performance, placing sixth in a competitive field of 15 teams. The Bluejays’ five scoring runners earned scoring positions of eighth, 36th, 39th, 41st and 46th.
Senior Taylor Markeson led the Bluejays, placing 11th overall with a time of 13:03.9. Senior Stella Omtvedt followed in 42nd place at 14:33.8, while junior Maren Schimming finished 45th in 14:40.0.
Sophomore Quinn Yoder placed 47th with a time of 14:42.1, and senior Megan Tegmeier completed Waseca’s scoring lineup by finishing 52nd in 15:01.0. Freshmen Leah Wilson and Ellie Kopischke crossed the finish line just four-tenths of a second apart, placing 75th and 77th, respectively.
Waseca Girls Varsity Results:
Taylor Markeson, senior — 11th, 13:03.9
Stella Omtvedt, senior — 42nd, 14:33.8
Maren Schimming, junior — 45th, 14:40.0
Quinn Yoder, sophomore — 47th, 14:42.1
Megan Tegmeier, senior — 52nd, 15:01.0
Leah Wilson, freshman — 75th, 15:27.9
Ellie Kopischke, freshman — 77th, 15:28.3
On the boys side, Waseca placed 12th among 16 teams. The Bluejays’ five runners recorded scoring positions of 30th, 34th, 64th, 73rd and 80th.
Junior Samuel Feldkamp paced the Bluejays, finishing 34th overall in 11:52.7. Sophomore Keenan Collins was close behind, taking 39th place with a time of 12:02.7.
Freshman Luke Feldkamp placed 73rd in 13:03.5, junior Ryan Yoder finished 82nd in 13:23.6 and freshman Miles Popp placed 91st with a time of 13:48.1.
Waseca Boys Varsity Results:
Samuel Feldkamp, junior — 34th, 11:52.7
Keenan Collins, sophomore — 39th, 12:02.7
Luke Feldkamp, freshman — 73rd, 13:03.5
Ryan Yoder, junior — 82nd, 13:23.6
Miles Popp, freshman — 91st, 13:48.1
Despite the challenging weather and adjusted race distances, the Bluejays competed hard and gained valuable early-season experience against large and talented fields.