Hills challenge Wolverine runners at Chris Smith Invitational

Hailei Wallinga briefly runs on level ground during competition at the hilly Chris Smith Invitational in Sioux Rapids.

Trayton Cobb has consistently been the Wolverines’ second fastest runner and he was so again at the Chris Smith Invitational.

On September 14 South O’Brien’s cross country runners took on the imposing hills of the Little Sioux Golf and Country Club at Sioux Rapids. The event was the Chris Smith Invitational hosted by Sioux Central.
The Wolverine boys finished with a 346 score. The winning team was Spirit Lake with a 67. South O’Brien did not have enough runners compete for the girls title, which was won by Alta-Aurelia with a score of 57.
“Sioux Central changed the course up a little bit this year and our kids responded pretty positively,” said South O’Brien coach Jeremy Lansink. “Easily the biggest hills we will see all year and I thought we handled those well. Senior Ben Woodall led us on the boys side with a strong 19:00.00 time and Elodie Wilson led the girls with a season best 25:32.23.”
Woodall, who earned a 35th-place finish, was followed by Trayton Cobb in 61st, Brett Evans in 85th, Ethan Schwarz in 86th, Bensen Rohwer in 94th and Caleb Buenger in 95th. Wilson finished 51st, Hailei Wallinga 79th and Kaylie McKinney 80th.
“At this point of the season we have been running for awhile and we are starting to feel where we are at,” said Lansink. “The state meet is determined by placing in the district meet, and not a set time, so we will start focusing on that for the rest of the season. Competition with where we can keep our pace is going to be key. Excited to see what these kids accomplish throughout the rest of the season.”
Boys Varsity Team Results: Spirit Lake 67, East Sac County 78, Okoboji 78, Sheldon 98, Sioux Central 148, MVAOCOU 154, Sibley-Ocheyedan 182, South Central Calhoun 187, Manson NW Webster 212, HMS 156, Ridge View 259, Alta-Aurelia 291, OABCIG 334, South O’Brien 346.
South O’Brien Individual Results: Ben Woodall, 35th, 19:00.00; Trayton Cobb, 61st, 20:35.97; Brett Evans, 85th, 22:58.95; Ethan Schwarz, 86th, 23:03.07; Bensen Rohwer, 94th, 24:42.70; Caleb Buenger, 95th, 24:59.92.
Girls Varsity Team Results: Alta-Aurelia 57, Okoboji 63, Sioux Central 75, South Central Calhoun 102, Manson NW Webster 135, Spirit Lake 156, Ridge View 165, MVAOCOU 190, East Sac County 216, OABCIG 254.
South O’Brien Individual Results: Elodie Wilson, 51st, 25:32.23; Hailei Wallinga, 79th, 37:21.63; Kaylie McKinney, 80th, 41:05.46.