They did it! Both the Rugby girls and boys teams took a first place finish at the Cross Country Class B East Region held in Cooperstown on Saturday, October 16. Coach Bill Jansen was named “Region Coach of the Year”.

In the girls’ competition, 99 runners ran 4000 meters. Chandra Yankton took second place with a time of 15:00. She was outdistanced only by Alyssa Anderson, Benson County, who ran 14:47. The Rugby girls team had a score of 48 with Velva taking second place with 77.

Several Rugby girls made All-Region including: Chandra Yankton, Sydney Kraft, Lauren Christenson Crystal Hovland, and Shayana Fred.

The boys’ competition had 112 athletes run for 5000 meters. Erik Wangler took third place with a time of 17:29. Garrett Thompson took 5th with 17:35 followed by Kyle Volk in sixth place with 17:40. Andrew Hershey earned 9th place with a time of 18:01 and Wyatt Thompson, 12th place with 18:05. These five guys were named All-Region. Rugby led the pack with 35 points followed by Griggs County Central with 83.

Garrett Thompson, was a region nominee for “State Outstanding Senior of the Year” award along with Adam Monson, Hatton-Northwood-Thompson, and Austin Smith, Grafton.

Rugby Coach Bill Jansen was named “Region Coach of the Year”.

As the Rugby athletes prepare for state competition, the girls have been beaten by only two Class B schools, each on one occasion: Griggs County Central and Velva. The boys have been beaten by only one Class B school and that is New Town, who has beaten the Rugby boys at four meets.

“At the state level, New Town, Rugby and Beulah-Hazen look like the best teams for the boys,” said Coach Jansen. “On the girls’ side it looks like Rugby, Velva, and Parshall are the strongest teams.”

“If we can avoid injury and sickness before state time, I feel we are ready to run well at state,” said Jansen.

The boys team has a good chance to be repeat champions. They won the state championship last year.

“New Town looks very strong but we are defending champions and have a strong team as well, so I wouldn’t count us out,” said Jansen.

The Rugby girls have never won a Cross Country State Championship, but have done very well this year. So, don’t count them out either.

The Rugby Cross Country Teams have a goal of getting on the stand and bringing home some hardware. That means they need to place in the top five. Their ultimate goal is to be State Champions.

Run far, Run fast, Panthers!