The course was muddy in parts and the snow made for quite a scene at the 4A East Conference cross-county championships Saturday at Cam-Plex Park. Following a one-day delay to allow extra time to prepare the course after 13 inches of snow two days prior, the Campbell County High School boys and girls teams ran their way to fourth-place finishes.
The Camels had five runners finish in the top 20 of the 5,000-meter course. It was a good overall performance for both squads going into the final race of the year this week at the 4A state championships in Ethete.
CCHS girls
Campbell County relied on its veteran leader and the core of the team to run as a pack to chalk up the points to finish fourth overall and just 16 points shy of third in the team standings. Cheyenne Central won the overall title.
For the Camels, it was standout Reilly Wilson leading the way as she captured third place individually. The speedy senior led by example as she finished the 5K in a time of 19 minutes, 57.26 seconds.
Freshman Kendra Jensen stepped up like a veteran as the freshmen was 14th overall after she stopped the clock at 21:03.31. Teammate sophomore Makayla Mayer was just six spots back as she crossed the finish line in 21:37.45.
The Campbell County bunch had four runners finish within a minute to pack in some points. Freshman Jayden Haugen was next in for the team with a time of 21:43.67, followed by sophomore Madison Melinkovich at 21:55.26.
Next in for the Camels was junior Bella Sheehan who posted a time of 22:47.07. Senior teammate Makeelie Lubben followed at 25:11.18.
The junior varsity team competing included Sammy Marshall, Amalie Anderson, Hannah Dowdy, Grace Holden, Selena Melendez, and Cel Olive.
Individual times
Reilly Wilson, Sr., 19:57.26
Kendra Jensen, Fr., 21:03.31
Makayla Mayer, Soph., 21:37.45
Jayden Haugen, Fr., 21:43.67
Madison Melinkovich, Soph., 21:55.26
Bella Sheehan, Jr., 22:47.07
Makeelie Lubben, Sr., 25.11.18
Junior varsity
Sammy Marshall, Fr. 24:28.84
Amalie Anderson, Sr., 25:46.96
Hannah Dowdy, Fr., 27:56.19
Grace Holden, Fr., 27:58.16
Selena Melendez, Jr., 28:57.16
Cel Olive, Sr., 32:01.77
Varsity girls standings
Cheyenne Central, 24
Cheyenne East, 58
Sheridan, 69
Campbell County, 85
Thunder Basin, 103
CCHS boys
The Campbell County boys were also a force to be reckoned with at conference finals. The group of seven made up of only seniors and freshmen finished fourth overall and just 15 points behind Cheyenne East for third.
The Camels were guided by two seniors who finished in the top 10 of their final conference races. Braik Hurm was sixth individually after he ran the course in 17:01.78, just two spots and a few steps ahead of team member Sam Kjerstad at 17:19.52.
Third overall on the team was part of the future of the program as freshman Corbin Branscom completed his first 4A East showdown with a time of 18:25.39. Classmate and freshman Lawson Lutgen was fourth on the team after he posted a 19:57.48.
Next in for the Camels was freshman Deacon Cain who crossed the finish line in 20:32.77. He was followed by freshman CJ Gaskin at 20:40.55 and senior Brant Morrison at 20:49.13.
Running in the junior varsity race were Matthew Israelsen, Lane Mueller, Flint Reno, Casey Sarvey, and Sean Schroyer.
Individual times
Braik Hurm, Sr., 17:01.78
Sam Kjerstad, Sr., 17:19.52
Corbin Branscom, Fr., 18:25.39
Lawson Lutgen, Fr., 19:57.48
Deacon Cain, Fr., 20:32.77
CJ Gaskins, Fr., 20:40.55
Brant Morrison, Sr., 20:49.13
Junior varsity
Matthew Israelsen, Fr., 20:07.5
Lane Mueller, Jr., 21:08.8
Flint Reno, Fr., 22:19.19
Casey Sarvey, Fr., 22:49.5
Sean Schroyer, Fr., 23:31.22
Varsity boys standings
Cheyenne Central, 22
Sheridan, 54
Cheyenne East 86
Campbell County, 101
Thunder Basin, 12
