Incredible amount of improvement for H-M-S runners

Every member of the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn cross country team improved his/her time from the first to the second meet of the season while competing at the Okoboji Invitational on Sept. 3 at Woodlyn Hills Golf Course.

"From the first meet to the second, there was an incredible amount of improvement," Hawk coach Nicole Dorhout said. "They all shaved time off their result, which is great to see. We also had several runners who ran faster this year at Okoboji than they did last season."

Madison Otto led the girls' varsity effort with a 25th-place finish. She was just out of the medals.

"Madison took a couple of minutes off her time from this meet last year and ran faster than she did the week before at Cherokee," Dorhout said. "It was a high-quality meet and she ran well. She's been training very hard which sometimes creates short-term fatigue, but it will be worth it when we get to the end of the season. I'm very happy with her effort thus far."

Also competing in girls' varsity were sophomore Ashley Vermeer, who finished 76th, freshman Lexi Croatt in 78th, sophomore Jaela Anliker in 84th and sophomore Juliana Pasillas in 88th.

"Each of these girls ran faster than the previous week, and those who were in high school last year all ran faster on this course than last year. Jaela had an especially improved performance, but they all looked good. They are really gelling as a team and will continue to improve every week."

On the boys' side, H-M-S competed in JV. Junior Mitchell Meyers finished 82nd, freshman George Vargas was 84th, freshman Gavin Faulkner was 86th and senior Connor Pasillas finished 87th. All the boys improved their times as well.

"Connor took a bunch of time off from the last meet. I was really proud of him. The boys are very young and very inexperienced, so we just want to work hard and shave time."

The team's main goal at this point is to get into shape and make improvements.

"Madison has some pretty set goals, but everyone else is in a learning mode," Dorhout said. "As long as we keep making progress and working hard, I'm happy with the result."

H-M-S's runners are back in action on Sept. 14 at the West Lyon Invitational, held at Lake Pahoja State Park.

OKOBOJI INVITATIONAL

Girls' Varsity: Madison Otto, 25th, 23:07; Ashleigh Vermeer, 76th, 27:53; Lexi Croat, 78th, 28:05; Jaela Anliker, 84th, 29:59; Juliana Pasillas, 88th, 34:22.

Girls' Team Scores: Sibley-Ocheyedan 66, Cherokee 75, Okoboji 90, George-Little Rock/Central Lyon 115, Sioux Center 119, West Lyon 151, Emmetsburg 192, Estherville-Lincoln Central 222, Sioux Central 224, South O'Brien 225, West Bend-Mallard 274, H-M-S 315, OA/BCIG 324.

Boys' JV: Mitchell Meyers, 82nd, 28:12; George Vargas, 84th, 28:26; Gavin Faulkner, 86th, 29:40; Connor Pasillas, 87th, 29:54.