Lightning struck and thunder roared on Thursday for the Iola Mustangs cross country meet in Fort Scott.
Although the elements may have provided an avenue for distraction, it didnt stop the varsity boys and girls from taking the crown.
The Fort Scott meet started with Iolas middle schoolers taking the course. Alyssa Williams and Madeline Wanker starred in the seventh-grade girls race. Williams came in 11th with a time of 20:36 and Wanker finished at 23:21 for 13th. The seventh-grade boys saw Cole Moyer take first with a time of 13:44 and Brigg Shannon finished fourth running 15:03. Also competing for the boys were Ethan Riebel, Alejandro Escalante, Roper Curry and Robert Warren.
The eighth-grade Ponies followed. The girls raced their way to a first-place finish as a team. All of the girls came in the top 10, Kiera Fawson (third), Cara Porter (fourth), Abigail Meiwes (sixth), Rebekah Coltrane (seventh), and Jillian Ward (ninth). For the boys, the Ponies were unable to field a full team, but JJ Rutah came in second place, after running neck-and-neck with a runner from Pleasanton. Sam Sturgeon just edged Jackson Ulrich to claim the 10th place medal to round up the Mustang action.
After the conclusion of the middle school races, lightning and rain interrupted the proceedings as the JV girls lined up. Head coach Marv Smith said his runners rushed to the bus, and after a long delay, the events resumed.
Although the running resumed, the JV girls were unable to compete due to a timing issue. Officials decided to start with the varsity girls, and the Fillies shined on their way to a first-place finish. Three Fillies runners finished in the top 10. Rachel Bycroft came in fourth (23:05), Josie Plumlee in sixth (23:15), and Kelsey Morrison eighth (23:48). Also competing for the Fillies were Ella Taylor (15th), Averie Sharon (16th), Elanie Sturgeon (17th), and Audrey Coltrane (18th).
The JV boys race was combined with that of the varsity boys. The JV boys were unable to field a full team, Drake DeLaTorre was out with a hip injury, and Smith said Luke Wicoff left to Iola believing the race would be canceled. Competing for the Mustangs were Colin Long (24:34), Travis Wanker (24:54), and E li Smith (30:20).
Like the varsity girls, the boys were able to repeat the success earning the top spot. Jack Adams once again led all runners with a time of 17:33. Three more Mustangs finished in the top 10. Riley Jay finished fifth (18:22), Elijah Fawson came in ninth 18:49), and Kaster Trubuc in 10th (18:49). Nathan Louk, the Mustangs number-five runner on the day, came in 11th. Jesse Taylor and Brett Morrison also competed for the Mustangs.
NEXT UP for Iola cross country will be a trip to Parsons on Thursday. Iola will play host on Sept. 24.
