Glenwood girls, boys sweep team titles at home invite

Glenwood girls and boys cross country opened the 2023 season with a sweep of the team titles at their own 49th annual Glenwood Cross Country Invite at Glenwood Lake Park Saturday.

With the cool temperatures, the ideal morning conditions for running suited the state-ranked girls and boys Rams squads just fine. The boys finished with 51 points to out-pace runner up Clarinda and the girls posted 44 points to edge Harlan’s 51-point score.

Clarinda’s Treyton Schaapherder edged the Rams’ Bryant Keller for first place in the boy’s race. Schaapherder’s time of 15:43 was just five seconds better than Keller.

Keller was joined in the top 10 by teammates Liam Hays (sixth place) and Maverick Mixan (10th). Bryce Keller added a 16th place finish and Bodhi Langille was 17th place to round out the Rams’ scoring.

Harlan’s Lindsey Sonderman won the girls title with time of 18:47.49. Second place Raenna Henke finished 46 seconds behind Sonderman.

Glenwood Grace Berglund finished a close third with a time of 19:52.66.    

Overall, Glenwood girls coach Marissa Klindt was pleased with her team’s performance.

“The first meet always gives us some surprises, and this was no different,” she said. “Grace Berglund had a great race, and I think she surprised everyone, including herself, on how well she can race.”

Berglund wasn’t alone. She was one of five Rams to all finish in the top 17. Lauren Hughes was seventh, Breckyn Petersen eighth, Megan Hughes 13th and Caitlin Hebel 17th to complete the Rams’ scoring.    

“I’m also proud of Megan Hughes, Katelyn Harms, and Caitlin Hebel for stepping up and running well during their first ever 5k,” Klindt said. “Breckyn Peterson, Lauren Hughes, and Haylee Hughes ran about what we thought they would, which is good for our team depth. As a team, we encountered some adversity, but we responded well and bounced back. We had a lot of good things happen.”

The East Mills’ three-runner varsity squad was led by Walter Seipold’s 67th place time of 20:43.49. Teammates Cooper Stearns and Jordan Williams added 99th and 167th place finishes.

Glenwood Cross Country Invite
Boys Team Standings
    1. Glenwood, 51. 2. Clarinda, 67. 3. Kuemper Catholic, 75. 4. Atlantic, 92. 5. Harlan, 112. 6. Council Bluffs St. Albert, 177. 7. Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson, 179. 8. Shenandoah, 195. 9. Red Oak, 208. 10. Creston, 280.

Glenwood Boys Place Winners
    2. Bryant Keller, 15:48.19. 6. Liam Hays, 17:16.18. 10. Maverick Mixan, 17:37.37. 16. Bryce Keller, 18:13.20. 17. Bodhi Langille, 18:13.60.

Girls Team Standings
    1. Glenwood, 44. 2. Harlan, 51. 3. Atlantic, 66. 4. Clarinda, 74. 5. Kuemper Catholic, 125. 6. Red Oak, 180.

Glenwood Girls Place Winners
    3. Grace Berglund, 19:52.66. 7. Lauren Hughes, 20:48.92. 8. Breckyn Petersen, 20:49.97. 13. Megan Hughes, 21:55.68. 17. Caitlin Hebel, 22:11.17.