by Ryan Kohlhof

PCM’s very own cross country team packed their bags last Monday, Oct. 12, to head to Iowa State University’s course in Ames for the season’s conference meet. The girls picked up fourth place out of nine, and the boys snagged eighth out of nine.
Finishing first for the Mustang girls, picking up 16th with a time of 22.39, was junior Jayci Vos. Following close behind was freshman Paytan Schut at 22.46, earning her 18th. Up next came sophomore Baylee Smith with 23.38 and freshman Megan Townley with 24.04. Following was freshman Sara Dudley with 25.33. Then came senior Morgan Novak and freshman Morgan Uhlenhopp, clocking times of 26.40 and 26.41, respectively. The two Mustang finalists were junior Mallery Downey in 27.54 and senior Mallory Bell in 31.34. Senior Kiara Kappelmann and junior Rachel Stafford did not run.
Conference was a different story with the boys, having junior Chris Ellens clocking first for PCM with an 18.21, placing 16th. Pulling behind him was sophomore Blake Lee in a time of 19.33. After that were sophomores Noah Henkenius and Brady North, with times of 21.33 and 21.50, respectively. Keeping it close, placing one away from one another, was junior Mark Bruxvoort with 22.21 and senior Andres Vargas with 22.25. Sophomore Bradley McClellan came in at23.14, senior Max Van Gorp with a 23.26 and junior Braden Phifer at 23.51. Sophomores Caleb Peter and Jonathan Heath pulled times of 24.11 and 25.39, respectively. Senior Trenton Howard was the only guy who did not compete.
“We’ve been running hard all season for this,” said Vargas. “But at the same time we have had a ton of fun the whole way through.”
The Mustangs will be traveling to Columbus to compete at their district meet today, Thursday, Oct. 22, with the time placed around 4 p.m. The top 15 runners will move on to state.