Titan runners set personal bests at Lennox Invite

By Anne Homan,

Sports Reporter

Titan runners get going at the start of the JV boys’ race at the Lennox Invite

On Thursday, Sept. 29 the Tea Area High School Cross Country teams concluded the regular season by participating in the Lennox Invitational. This meet featured over 400 athletes from 16 different teams across eastern South Dakota and saw several personal best performances from the Titan runners.

The Varsity boys were led by Holden Jelen who captured 30th place, setting a new season’s best, clocking 18:26. Reid Hammerquist finished right behind, taking 31st with a time of 18:27 and Jack Campbell captured 32nd with a time of 18:30. Alex Kayser clocked a 20:09 for 65th place and Peyton Sieber recorded a new personal best time of 21:30 for 78th place.

For the Varsity girls, Jaycie Babb once again paced the Titans, earning 11th place in a time of 19:48. Grace Bialas recorded a new personal best time of 19:49 for 13th place. Jaydin Mitchell ran close to a season-best time, clocking a 21:52, for 40th place. Meredith Decker posted a season-best 21:57 for 44th place, with Lydia Decker close behind in 46th place with a time of 22:01. Haley Korver posted a season-best time of 22:03 for 47th place and both Brooklyn Reiners and Scarlett Taylor clocked new personal bests, with Reiners running 22:53 for 55th place and Taylor recording a 24:46 for 74th place.

Tate VanLaecken led the Titans Junior Varsity boys with his fourth place finish in a new personal record time of 14:55. Jonah Klemisch also ran a personal best, clocking a 15:25 for 8th place. Jacob DeYoung recorded a new personal best time of 16:24 on his way to 26th place. Matthew Rogers grabbed 71st place in a time of 19:38.

The JV girls continued the trend for the day and also recorded new best times. Abby Hilleson ran a new personal best time of 17:10, ranking her 3rd in school history and earning her third place in the race. Miah Thorstenson claimed ninth place in a new personal best time of 17:52. Kiley Pendergast grabbed 34th place in a time of 20:08, while Gracie Kramer posted a new personal best time of 20:34 for 40th place. Averi Johannsen ran a new personal best time of 21:44 for 49th place, with Aiden Pearson also running a personal best time of 22:17 for 54th place. Brailey Groeneveld claimed 55th place with a time of 23:29.

To wrap up the Invite, Middle School boys and girls ran a 3K race. On the boys’ side, Dawson Lowery ran a new personal best time of 11:22 for 8th place. Grant Curtis finished in 40th place with a new personal record of 12:33. Jaxon Johanneson set a new personal record with a time of 12:33 to take 42nd. Noah Korver also set a new personal record, clocking a 12:34 for 43rd. Ryker Kubik claimed 48th place with a new personal record time of 12:46. Malachi Kaiser grabbed 58th place with a new personal record time of 13:32. Cael Hermanson also ran a new personal best time of 15:01 for 74th place.

For the MS girls, Jayna VanLaecken ran a new personal best time of 12:26 for second place, with Daphne Decker close behind in 3rd with a personal record time of 12:33. Taylor Boehnke earned 6th place with a time of 13:09. Erica Boterman was close behind in 8th place clocking a season-best 13:12. Gretchen Curtis grabbed 10th place with a new personal record time of 13:19. Natalie Hyronimus also set a new personal record with her time of 13:27 to take 14th place. Sierra Waldner earned 17th place in her first career race. Mikayla Berg recorded a new personal best time of 13:50 for 21st place, with Lola Underberg close behind in 22nd place with a time of 13:56. Chapman earned 28th place (14:16), Ella Kamps 33rd (14:45), Emerson Smolik 34th (14:46), Sophie Sherwood 35th (14:49), Brekkyn Quigley 36th (14:56), Selina Bolte 37th (15:11), and Kelsey Kramer 42nd (16:03).

The Titans will compete in the DakXII Conference Meet at Elk Point on Thursday, Oct. 6. Varsity girls will kick off the action at 3 p.m. followed by the varsity boys, JV girls, JV boys, Middle School girls, and Middle School boys.

The Region Meet will be held Thursday, Oct. 13 at the McCook Country Club with the 2022 State A meet scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22 in Huron.