WELLSVILLE — Iola High Cross Country runner Tyler Powelson added a Pioneer League championship to his athletic resume Thursday.
Powelson’s time of 17 minutes, 38 seconds was a full 15 seconds faster than second-place finisher Trent Latta’s mark of 17:53 along the 5K course.
The marks highlighted a solid day of running for the Mustangs, which earned spots 1, 2 and 4 in the boys’ race and the second spot on the girls’ side.
The Mustangs claimed the silver team medal behind host Wellsville.
On the girls’ side, Iola’s Abigail Taylor claimed the silver medal by running the 4K route in 17:14. Her second-place finish was the only one in the top seven individuals not from Anderson County.
“A silver medal and an all league patch are a nice reward for the excellent season Abigail has had,” Iola cross country coach Marv Smith said.
“We had a really good day of racing, even though we trailed Wellsville 38-32 for the (boys) team title,” IHS cross country coach Marvin Smith said.
Iola’s top three runners, Powelson, Latta and Jeremy Spears, all were better than their respective counterparts from Wellsville.
“Unfortunately, our number four runner was standing beside me on the course with a cast on his broken arm,” Smith said. Kohl Endicott is out for the year with his arm injury.
Spears’ time of 18:25 was good for fourth place overall.
Powelson and Latta began the race immediately behind Wellsville’s number-one runner at the time over the first half of the race before passing him to take the lead
“I was elated for Powelson to have such a strong race and win the individual championship,” Smith said.
Latta, with back spasms, and Spears, with a sore knee, were held out of practice Wednesday, Smith said.
“Still, their times were very good,” Smith said.
Michael Wilson earnedall-league honorable mention with his 12th-place finish at 19:22. Freshman Zach St. Clair ran a season-best 19:48 for 19th overall. The top seven runners are classified as all-league runners. The next seven receive honorable mention. “I think (Michael) really wanted that all-league honorable mention spot,” Smith said. Iola did not record a team
score on the girls’ side. The competition also featured a 2-mile middle school race. Iola’s Braden Plumlee was five seconds ahead of his nearest pursuer to win the competition at 11:49. The IHS squads now advance to the Kansas Class 4A Regional Tournament at Anderson County High School in Garnett Oct.The girls begin racing at 1:30 p.m.; the boys at 2 o’clock. Iola’s individual results from the league meet follow:
Boys (5K)
1. Tyler Powelson 17:38
2. Trent Latta 17:53
4. Jeremy Spears 18:25
12. Michael Wilson, 19:22
19. Zach St. Clair 19:48
23. Blaine Klubek 20:02
26. Jacob Cooper 20:17
33. Travis Hermstein
20:53
36. Bryan Mueller 20:58
37. Tyler Holloway 20:59
52. Jason Tidd 22:01
58. Levi Baker 22:42
61. Yohon Sinclair 23:07
65. Thomas Elder 24:07
69. Sagar Patel 24:35
71. Ankit Gandhi 25:28
72. Drew Smith 25:30
75. Garrett Prall 26:56
76. Cole Cescon 26:57
77. Tyler Heinrich 27:30
Girls (4K)
2. Abigail Taylor 17:14
20. Shannon Vogel 20:25
31. Klair Vogel 22:36
41. Courtney Smith 26:12
Iola runners shine at Wellsville
