Winfield-Mt. Union?s Gavin Bencze back to state

BY ANDY KRUTSINGER

Mt. Pleasant News

CEDAR RAPIDS ? The WACO and Winfield-Mt. Union cross-country teams were in Cedar Rapids for their Class 1A state-qualifying meet on Thursday evening.

Winfield-Mt. Union?s Gavin Bencze was the lone qualifier from the two teams. He finished fourth in the boys? race, in 16:57.99.

Brock Fricke was the next W-MU runner to cross the finish line, placing 46th in the race, in 18:30.72. Jarod Kadel was 68th, in 19:03.33. Bryant Holtcamp was 83rd, in 19:33.99. Asa Gipple was 95th, in 19:46.94. Kolten Buster was 113th, in 20:42.51, and Ben Hemsworth placed 127th, in 21:44.57.

The W-MU girls were led by Cecelia Hemsworth, who was just four spots away from qualifying, with a 19th place 21:07.98. Whitney Vantiger was 70th, in 25:34.52, and Lauren Hagge placed 88th, in 28:32.33.

The highest finisher for WACO was Kasey Sutton, who placed 86th, in 27:48.91. Makenzie Shelman was 90th, in 30:27.35. Michaela Shaffer was 92nd, in 31:28.10. Emily Thomson was 93rd, in 31:29.38. Kanon Ujiie placed 94th, in 31:33.14, and Katie Malloy was 96th, in 39:25.84.

The top Warrior boys? runner was John Skriver, who placed 92nd, in 19:42.77. Joe Edeker placed 125th, in 21:38.27. Tanner Conwell placed 129th, in 21:47.66. Beau Beckler was 135th, in 23:00.17, and Roman Kiefer was 137th, in 24:02.59.

Benzce will run in the Class 1A boys? state cross-country race in Ft. Dodge on Saturday, Oct. 29. The event will start at 11 a.m., with the Class 1A boys? race starting at approximately 2:30 p.m.