Photo by Troy Banning, for The Messenger Humboldt's Quinton Orr works his way toward the individual title at the Ballard Invitational in Huxley on Monday.

HUXLEY — By the time he is finished, Quinton Orr will go down as one of the best distance runners in Humboldt’s storied history.

Orr added to his already impressive resume here Monday night, securing another first place finish by capturing the 40th Ballard Invitational.

The Wildcats senior crossed home in a new school-record time of 15:42.3, sprinting past ADM’s Nate Mueller down the stretch. The mark broke his previous best of 15:52, which he set at state a year ago.

“Being able to go run school records is super awesome, but there is so many people that have helped me achieve these accolades and I’m just ecstatic to hopefully finish the season out strong,” Orr said. “I felt great and I went into the race telling myself I wasn’t going to lose.”

Humboldt placed fifth overall in the team standings, which were won by Dallas Center-Grimes. North Polk was second, Carlisle third and Webster City placed seventh overall.

Orr has finished second at the state cross country meet each of the past two seasons. He will likely be contending with Mueller again later this year on the big stage at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge.

Mueller is ranked first in 3A, with Orr right behind him.

“I knew I was in great shape and wanted to run really fast,” Orr said. “We got out really fast with a sub-five-minute first mile. I just kept fighting and trying to put the pressure on the other runners.

“By mile two, we were at 9:55 and by then it was just Nate and I. The last mile, I just told myself it’s now or never. I needed to keep pushing and being aggressive. I finally started to get away from (Mueller) with 1200 to go and I knew I just had to hang on.”

Orr extended his appreciation to “my teammates, coaching staff and support system for helping me go out and run each and every day.”

“Matt Lindaman had the record before I did. His dad was the coach before Coach (Dean) Clausen and Mr. Lindaman substitute teaches for the school. He is such a great guy and has really given me some good advice and confidence as well.”

Eric Wittrock was seventh overall for Humboldt in 17:23 with Trevor Jacobson placing 19th, Nolan Jergens 28th and Carter Theesfeld 43rd.

For the Lynx, Jacob Willson finished 22nd in 18:31, Matthew Perin was 32nd, Jose Ramirez 35th and Cole Reiling 36th.

Ballard captured the girls title with Dallas Center-Grimes second and North Polk third. Humboldt finished 10th and Webster City 11th.

Ainsley Erzen of Carlisle was the race winner in 18:28.

Kali Beaman was the top finisher for the Wildcats, placing 45th overall in 23:35. Joselyn Orr was 47th and Allison Hoag 52nd.

Kaelyn Butz placed 55th to lead the Lynx in 23:57, with Emma Peck 63rd.