Herders reach the one-month mark at Rawlins XC Invitational

The mileage is racking up and so is progress made by the Glenrock High School cross country program. They are now four weeks into the schedule and once again more season-best times were notched Sept. 19 at the Rawlins XC Invitational. 

It was a small mixture of talent from both sides of the state with runners from Douglas, Rawlins, Saratoga, Green River, Wyoming Indian and Wheatland on the trails. It was a good enough boost to clock good times on both teams. 

In the boys’ action, the future is now when it comes to the fastest Herder. Sophomore Koi Horn was among the best as he captured sixth overall in 18 minutes, 24.60 seconds.

Noah Blasi of Rawlins won the day at 17:24.95, just ahead of his own teammate in second at 17:56.98.

Owen Partridge missed the first race of the season but has been pushing himself every weekend since the late start. The junior was second on the roster and 16th overall when he completed the 5K in 19:34.22.

Partridge had some familiar company along the way. Teammate Haiden Ward was just a few steps back and was the third GHS talent to cross the finish in line in 19:47.84.

Colter Lewis is one of many to make progress this season and continued to push himself in Rawlins. The junior was fourth on the roster last week when he posted a 21:20.94.

Michael Schowengerdt was nearby and clocked a 21:33.16. Veteran Manny Coulter was next for the Herders in 24:11.10.Rawlins, a 3A title contender this year, won the meet with 33 points, 22 ahead of Wyoming Indian. Douglas was fourth with 96, which was just five ahead of the Herders at 101.

The front of the GHS girls pack was opposite of the boys as it was veteran leadership on and off the course that led by example. Senior Gillian Holman had the quickest feet on the squad when she delivered a season-best time of 24:09.95.

Sihauna Sanchez of Saratoga won the individual title at 21:09.28.

The future was on display with the next Herder to finish. Sophomore standout Kennley Blackburn was the second Herder to stop the watch when she came through in 24:43.61.

Sophomore Maggie Halvorsen completed the three-mile mile race in 26:38.03. Senior Lucy Ticknor was next at 28:43.67.

Douglas won the team title with 30 points, which was 16 ahead of Rawlins at 46. GHS was one runner shy of competing.

Glenrock will enjoy one more race close to home this week. In fact, it gets no closer as the runners will host their first invitational at 12 p.m. Sept. 29. The race will begin and end at the stadium.