XC: Winkelmann second in Class B at Ballard

Nodaway Valley/OM’s boys cross country team — ranked 16th in the latest Iowa Track Coaches Association rankings — placed third among Class B boys teams in the Mike Carr Invitational Monday, Sept. 15 at Ballard and seventh overall out of 15 scoring teams with 82 points.

The meet is considered the “mini state meet” because of its large size. There were 102 boys and 90 girls competing at the varsity level.

“Ballard was super hot but I was proud of our team score for the boys, getting third in our class and seventh out of all classes,” Wolverine head coach Brooke Wilson said. “Our boys are doing a great job at sticking together during the race. Our varsity team is great and we have four JV runners whose times are very close to the varsity runners as well.”

Sophomore Gabe Winkelmann was second among Class B runners and sixth overall, finishing in 17:47.7. Junior Luke Kading was 16th in the division (19:23.20), Josh Nelson 20th (19:49.10), Cherubim Mercado 21st (19:53.50), Paul Kading 23rd (19:59), Everett Ehler 31st (20:59) and Cael Strode 43rd (22:28.7).

Roland-Story junior Corben Lucchesi won the Class B division in 19:38.0.

On the girls’ side, freshman Abby Nelson was 20th within Class B (24:15.40) and Kaylee Van Horn 44th (31:36.50).

Van Meter’s Laura Streck won the Class B division in 19:52.20.

“It was a tough course for our girls but they all did great, in my opinion,” Wilson said.

The Wolverines were set to run at Creston’s home meet Tuesday on the campus of Southwestern Community College.