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The PCM Outlook

The Student News Site of PCM High School

The PCM Outlook

The Student News Site of PCM High School

The PCM Outlook

Ellens to run at State

Ellens+to+run+at+State

by Brad McClellan

“Districts is a whole different story and way more intense than any other meet. It really helps you push yourself,” said senior Chris Ellens.

Ellens crossed the finish line with a time of 16:34; this placed him first in districts and qualified him for state. After team PCM placed 12 out of 14 teams, earning 285 points and an average time of 19:46. The second PCM runner to cross the line was freshman Jason Stafford with a time of 19:55, placing 66th. The next three to cross were back to back. Junior Caleb Peter crossed 3rd with a time of 20:42, placing 74th, next to cross was Senior Mark Bruxvoort placing 75th with a time of 20:47.

“The faster you run, the faster your done,” Bruxvoort said.

The last of the trio was Jacob Cox, placing 5th on the team with a time of 20:52; this earned him a place of 77th in the race. Next was sophomore Carson Clark with a time of 21:53, placing sixth on the team and 92nd in the race. The last mustang runner to cross the finish line was freshman Blake VanderKamp; he crossed with a time of 22:31, placing 97th in the race.

“On the boys’ side, Chris, Carson and Blake all had lifetime bests, with Carson and Caleb having season bests,” Head Coach Eric Karr said. “That’s a great way to end the year. The boys’ team continues to improve, and I’m excited to see what next year holds. Obviously Chris has one more race to go. He has the 5th fastest time of all class 2A boys from qualifying night. He has the 4th fastest time out of the top 10 boys when you average out state qualifying and conference meets. He knows what he needs to do, and he should be thinking about winning the state meet.”

The girls team placed seventh out of 13 teams; they had an average time of 22:67 and finished with  160 points.

“I’m so proud of the girls’ team,” Karr said. “They went through a lot of adversity this season, but they always kept fighting. I could not have asked them to work any harder. Unfortunately, we came up short, but that wasn’t without a great effort. Kirstin, Megan, and Ellie all had lifetime bests. We are really going to miss Rachel and Jayci next year. I will never be able to repay those two for what they have done for PCM cross country. Rachel was my first ever state qualifier, and she really set the tone for the girls for years to come.”

The first mustang girl to cross the finish line was sophomore Kirstin Ives, placing 21st with a time of 21:39. Not far behind was sophomore Megan Townley, placing 24th with a time of 21:51. Next to cross was sophomore Paytan Schut; Schut placed 29th with a time of 22:15. Soon after Klaire Jungling passed the finish line with a time of 23:04, placing 42nd. A few seconds later Baylee Smith clocked in with a time of 23:08, placing 44th. Not far behind was Ellie Steenhoek with a time of 23:39 in 60th place, and the last mustang girl to pass the finish line was Rachel Stafford with a time of 24:18 in 72nd place.

“I think we did well as a team and improved a lot over the season,” Steenhoek said.

State will be Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Lakeside Golf/ Cross Country Course; 2A boys will run at 1:30 p.m.

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