Cross Country Bobcats Place in Leadville

by Sentinel Staff
The Custer County Cross Country team journeyed to Leadville Saturday, August 30th to compete in the highest elevation cross country meet in the nation. It was the first race of the year for the team’s middle schoolers. The runners led again this year by Head Coach Heather Ramer who also teaches middle school English. Hal Walter rejoins the cross country coaching staff this year to serve as assistant coach.

High School Juniors Robert Bachman, Mason Stover
and Jacob Weeks with top 10 finishes.
Photo courtesy of Heather Ramer

The meet altitude was not an issue for our high school boys who all placed in the top 10! Mason Stover was 3rd, Robert Bachman 7th, and Jacob Weeks finished 10th. Stover and Weeks both bettered their times from the same course last season, setting momentum for the meets ahead. Seventh place was a great showing for Bachman in what was only his second meet as a cross country competitor. Incoming freshman, Pierce Rowans, has just joined the cross country team and is looking forward to his first race as a Bobcat.

High School Boys and Girls compete in Leadville.
Back Row: Jacob Weeks, Mason Stover, Robert Bachman.Front Row: Abigail Handy, Emma Stover, and Shiloh Holmes and Pierce Rowans.
Photo courtesy of Heather Ramer

The high school girls team is made up entirely of freshmen; Abigail Handy, Emma Stover and Shiloh Holmes. This young team is showing promise already as Handy ran for an impressive 11th place finish. Lizzie Hamilton was our sole Bobcat in the middle school girls contest. Hamilton was full speed ahead in her first cross country event ever as she passed 20 girls over her first two miles. Adding depth to our middle school girls team are Zoe Hogg, Sage Everhart and Ahni Benson.

Middle school boys team place 4th, L to R: Logan Weeks, Caleb Stover, Jackson Erlenbusch and Salem Holmes.
Photo courtesy of Heather Ramer

Custer County’s middle school boys brought their own heat to the field. Jackson Erlenbusch, Salem Holmes, Caleb Stover and
Logan Weeks ran to a 4th place team finish. While Caleb Stover earned 20th Overall. New middle school team members still looking forward to their first competition are Michael Weber, Matthew Agnew and Mason Anderson.
When you are in and around town and see these Bobcat athletes on training runs consider offering a “honk” or shout of encouragement. The schedule for the cross country team is posted on the Custer County School District website: custercountyschools.org.