The Bowman County Cross Country team got their last chance to prep for the postseason as the traveled south to Sturgis, S.D., on Thursday. With warm temperatures, gusty winds, and tough competition, the Bulldogs got all they asked for.
The girls team, who has been ranked #2 in North Dakota all season long, finished the day in 4th place. Natron County (Casper Wy), Kelly Walsh (Casper Wyoming), and Sturgis slipped past the Bulldogs. “It was a great tune-up for us.” Explained coach Jonathan Jahner. If the Bulldogs were looking for a fight that is exactly what they got, as they raced against some unfamiliar faces. Lacey Feist took the reins again as the leader of the pack, finishing in 8th place. Alexius Miller followed up in 22nd place, closely followed by Natalie Kempenich (26th), Mikalya Bartholomay (27th), and Abigail Bartholomay (24th).
The boys team once again used their even scoring to their advantage as Kamrin Madrigal set the pace in 30th place. The pack of dawgs followed close behind as the scorers all finished within 24 seconds of Madrigal. Andrew Miller (35th), Brian Miller (36th), Camden Wokal (37th), and Mason Moran (41st) rounded out the scoring.
In the Junior High races, Noah Wokal paced the 8th grade boys finishing in 14th place. In the 7th grade divisions, Benjamin Knopp finished in 20th to lead the boys team, while Audrey Lazzara placed 58th to pace the JH girls.
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Saturday, October 8th as they begin their postseason run at the West Region Cross Country Championships. Beulah will once again be host, so the familiarity will be there for the Bulldogs. The meet starts at 10:30 CT with an elementary race, followed by the Varsity races starting at 11 a.m. CT.
