Although damp cold and melting snow delayed the start of the Rugby Booster Club Invitational Cross Country race last Saturday, runners from 25 schools across the state participated in the event, held at the Rugby Golf Club.

All Rugby teams placed in the top 10 in the 5000- and 3000- meter events.

Panther varsity girls earned 1st place at the end of their 5000 meter race. Coach Bill Jansen said, “The girls ran a really nice race today. We’re developing some depth in our girls’ team.”

However, Jansen said he would like to see the girls compete against Hillsboro High School before he ranked the team No. 1 in the state. “We’re ranked No. 1 (in the state), but I don’t rank us No. 1. I rank Hillsboro No. 1. When coaches vote in that poll, and I send my vote in, I still vote them above us until we beat them,” Jansen noted.

“We didn’t get a chance to beat Hillsboro yet; they chose to go to Grand Forks today. They were coming here, so this was going to be kind of a meeting, but they went to Grand Forks,” he continued.

Jansen said the Rugby girls will meet Hillsboro in two weeks, “but we really want to beat them at State.”

“I’m really happy,” he said of the schedule and the team’s performance so far. “It’ll be fun. Hopefully, they can stay healthy.”

“On the boys’ side,” Jansen continued, “We’ve been ranked No. 3, but I don’t think we’re No. 3. Our fifth runner, a young man named Robert Dibble, had to have an appendectomy, so I think he’s done for the year.”

“So, we’ll have to have some kids step up and do some stuff for us,” Jansen said. “We’re kind of thin. We have 8 boys; 9 boys out, one is a 7th grader who hasn’t run, so 8, and one got hurt, so now we’re at 7. So, we’re a tough top 4, but someone’s going to have to step up for our fifth runner. Our fifth runner’s going to have to make a move, so we’ll see.”

Rugby girls’ times in their 5000 meter event were: Quinn Neppl, 2nd place, 20:21; Karsyn Hager, 10th place, 21:01; Keely Arnston, 12th place, 21:15; Mykell Heidlebaugh, 14th place, 21:28; Kendyl Hager, 17th place, 21:43; Ellie Duchscherer, 19th, 21:48, Brooklyn Bartsch, 21st place, 21:53; Rylie Suchor, 44th place, 22:54; Megan Schmaltz, 46th place, 22:55; Paige Jones, 48th place, 22:57; Mikaylee Livedalen, 51st place, 23:11; Annie Risovi, 53rd place, 23:16; Ella Jacobson, 55th place, 23:18; Joey Wolf, 61st place, 23:36; Kristina Brossart, 83rd place, 25:23; Anna Clements, 84th place, 25:24.

Individual event winner was Megan Ford of Jamestown, who came in at 17:50.

Varsity boys 5000 meter results were: Riley Zachmeier, 7th place, 17:08; Kadin Neppl, 12 place, 17:37; Austin Dibble, 40th place, 18:46; Riley Odden, 83rd place, 20:26; Malachi Dosch, 127th place, 22:49. RHS boys placed 7th overall.

Individual event winner was Jaiven Hale of New Town, with a time of 16:03.

Rugby JV/Junior High girls placed 1st in their 3000 meter event. Times were: Amber Schmaltz, 5th place, 14:42; Haley Mayer, 6th place, 14:45; Lauren Casavant, 9th place, 15:14; Sophie Oppen, 11th place, 15:31; Braelynn Oppen, 17th place, 16:40; Trista Hamilton, 21st place, 17:23; Elli Kuntz, 23rd place, 18:40.

Individual winner was Natalie Becker of Surrey, with a time of 13:34.

Rugby JV/Junior High boys placed 10th overall in their 3000 meter event. Trenton Sanford placed 20th, with a time of 13:31, and overall event winner was James Woodstead of Griggs County Central High, with a time of 11:11.