August 29, 2025
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Strong opener for Panther runners

By CHEYENNE ROCHE
Junior Wyatt Goodenberger and freshman Ryder Baird battle Red Oak runners during the Shenandoah Early Bird meet Tuesday.

Junior Wyatt Goodenberger and freshman Ryder Baird battle Red Oak runners during the Shenandoah Early Bird meet Tuesday. (Contributed photo by TERRY FREEMAN )

SHENANDOAH — The Panther cross country team opened its season Tuesday at the Shenandoah Early Bird meet.

The meet provides an early opportunity for Creston to get a look at Hawkeye 10 competition. Both teams faced runners from Harlan, Clarinda and host Shenandoah, with the boys also seeing Red Oak.

The Panthers put together a good first performance with four individual medalists and a third-place finish by the boys team.

“The boys team had a very strong showing,” coach Maggie Arnold said. “The guys have put together a good team this season and we are hoping to use the momentum from this meet to carry over to Saturday.”

Junior Wyatt Goodenberger led the effort, cutting three minutes off his course time from last season, running 17:15.29, placing third overall. He came in less than 30 seconds after first place - Emmanuel Grass of Red Oak.

Last season, Goodenberger posted a personal best time of 18:57. He comes out of the offseason beating his PR by 1:42.

Freshman Ryder Baird immediately filled in the No. 2 spot with an impressive 17:42.54 debut time, finishing fourth. The two times are the fastest any Panther has run the Shenandoah course by two minutes.

Sophomore Merrick Wieland earned the final medal for the boys with a 20th place finish, running 19:58.64.

Freshman Matthew Warner and sophomore Austin Jondle rounded out varsity scoring with times of 20:33.09 (24th) and 20:57.61 (29th), respectively.

Red Oak won the meet, all five scorers placing in the top 20 for a team score of 44. Creston finished just two points behind Shenandoah’s 71.

The girls’ team was short handed Tuesday, running only three members. They were led by returning state qualifier Reese Strunk.

Junior Reese Strunk placed ninth at the meet, finishing with a time of 21:59.59.

Junior Reese Strunk placed ninth at the meet, finishing with a time of 21:59.59. (Contributed photo by TERRY FREEMAN )

“Reese was the medalist on the girls team, placing ninth,” Arnold said. “She ran a very strong race and finished in a time about a minute and a half faster than last year. All three ladies that ran did improve upon their performances from last season on that course.”

The junior ran a leading time of 21:59.59. Lily Miller of Treynor won the race in 19:48.31.

Creston senior Maylee Riley finished 35th in 25:23.37. Cutting almost four minutes off her course-best time was senior Abby Freeman.

The team returns to action tomorrow morning in Glenwood where they will see additional Hawkeye 10 foes in Atlantic, Kuemper Catholic, Lewis Central, St. Albert and host Glenwood.

Cheyenne Roche

CHEYENNE ROCHE

Originally from Wisconsin, Cheyenne has a journalism and political science degree from UW-Eau Claire and a passion for reading and learning. She lives in Creston with her husband and their two little dogs.