First meet since 1985 a success

The women’s cross-country team won the first meet ran since 1985 on Saturday when they competed against South Dakota School of Mines. The meet was hosted in Chadron, adding to the aura of the meet.

“It was an exciting atmosphere hosting the first meet of the season,” head coach Ryan Baily said.

With it being the first meet for all athletes, there was no pressure on them. The goal was to see where each runner would place, and the results were encouraging.

“For it being the first meet and 95 percent of the team being true freshman, I feel like they all competed extremely good,” Ryan Baily said.

The lead woman runner for the Eagles was the lone senior on the team, Ashley Riesen of Chadron. Riesen ran the 5 kilometer race in 20 minutes and 15 seconds. Right on her heels was Chadron runner Jayme Nunes, freshman of Alliance, who crossed the line in 20 minutes and 31 seconds. The women’s team as a whole ended with 19 points for the win.

For the men, Domingo Torres, freshman of Gering, came in first for the Eagles, capturing third place. He ran the course in 21 minutes and 16 seconds, just twenty seconds behind second place. Torres is determined to improve his time in this next meet.

“I definitely want to be in the twenties,” Torres said. “I am nervous and excited for this weekend. I’m going to get through this week’s practice and go into the race with no pressure.”

The cross country team travels to Spearfish, S.D. for the Black Hills State Invitational. The race is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m.

“Both men and women Black Hills teams are very good distance teams, so it’s going to be tough, but we will be ready regardless,” Baily said.