XC runs first meet

Less than a month after their former coach resigned, and slightly under two weeks since the arrival of his replacement, the Chadron State Eagles’ cross-country team competed at the South Dakota Mines Hardrocker Cross Country Meet this past Saturday, their first meet of the season. 

Expected to lead this year’s young group of male runners, Chadron sophomore Sheldon Curley, of Ganado, Arizona, was the highest placing men’s runner, taking seventh overall with a time of 27 minutes, 45.3 seconds. 

Speaking prior to the season, Curley felt good about the upcoming season despite the late coaching change. 

“I feel really good health-wise, physically and mentally,” Curley said. “I feel like I’m going strong into the season. I’m confident in my performance and coach leading us.

I honestly have a lot of faith in (Coach Scott Foley) and in the team, that he can help us take it one day at a time, one practice at a time to get to the top eventually. If not this year, I see it in the future with this group.”

At the Hardocker meet Curley was joined in the top 10 by freshman teammate Michael Jaso, of Yuma, Arizona, who finished in 28 minutes, 15.5 seconds. 

Also expected to be a leader among Chadron’s runners this season is Alyse Henry, of Rock Springs, Wyoming, who finished as the leading Eagles’ woman in 11th place with a time of 21 minutes, 11.6 seconds on the 5-kilometer course. 

Fellow Eagles’ junior Savannah Sibaugh, of Upton, Wyoming, who Henry lists among teammates she expects to have a good season, finished in 21 minutes, 11.6 seconds, good for 13th place. 

A Chadron pack of sophomores Catherine Orban, of Osage, Wyoming; Madison Watson, of Mitchell; Emma Willadsen, of Eaton, Colorado, and freshman Sydeny Settles, of Lincoln, placed 16th through 19th. 

Black Hills State took top honors in both men’s and women’s team scoring taking the top two individual places in the men’s run and top six places in the women’s run.

The Chadron women were second only to Black Hills State in team scoring. Montana State-Billings was third and South Dakota Mines was fourth.

Behind Black Hills State in team scoring was South Dakota Mines, Montana State-Billings, and Chadron State. 

 Next up for the Eagles’ runners is Chadron’s home meet Saturday.