Manson NW Webster golden in TLC girls race

POCAHONTAS – It has been a strong fall season for the Manson Northwest Webster girls cross country team.

That run continued here on Thursday, as the Cougars picked up team and individual gold at the Twin Lakes Conference championships.

Maddie Wittrock was the race winner, as the sophomore posted an impressive time of 19:38 to win by well over a minute. MNW also had Kathleen Hildreth and Kaylee Pugh placed in the Top-10, as the Cougars had just 32 team points.

"We knew we had something special the first week of summer, as we had most of the girls there and they did amazing in workouts right off the bat," MNW head coach Matt Balsley said. "Most of them put in a lot of miles over the summer. Then, we added some newcomers in Maddie and McKenna (Becker), who added another level to the team.

"I was hoping we could get five to be all-conference, but six was surprising. I believe all nine runners either had a PR or came close. It's amazing seeing all of the girls take so much pride in their team. I truly believe the best is yet to come from each of them."

Newell-Fonda was second with 66 points, followed by Alta-Aurelia, Emmetsburg, Sioux Central, South Central Calhoun, Pocahontas Area and Southeast Valley.

Hildreth, also just a sophomore, went 20:48 to finish third overall behind Wittrock and Addaley Girres of GTRA. Pugh, a freshman, was ninth in 21:54.

Hayden Oswald placed 11th, Payton Peterson was 12th and Tia Brennan 14th to complete the five counting scores for the Cougars. In addition, Ella Oswald took 21st and Becker was 37th overall.

Newell-Fonda's Danika Meyer was fifth in 21:18. All-state basketball players Quinn Sievers and Ellie Sievers were seventh and 10th, respectively. Quinn Sievers clocked a time of 21:39; Ellie Sievers finished in 21:59.

Elliot Hamilton was 19th and Paige Erickson 33rd for the Mustangs.

Janey-Lynn Reedy led Emmetsburg, as the freshman placed sixth in 21:21. Taylor Thayer was 20th, Mya Morton 27th, Bella Zelstra-Reedy 36th and Abby Biddle 41st.

South Central Calhoun's Jossa Haupert made the Top-10, as the senior finished eighth in 21:47. Abigail Kistenmacher was 15th, Sophia Smith 29th, Gwen Hiler 54th and Ryann Batz 69th.

For Pocahontas Area, Sawyer Storms was 17th, Alexa Oberg 30th, Natalie Sommerlot 39th, Ashlyn Duitscher 46th and Alli Lake 58th. Emily Wilson led Southeast Valley, as the junior was 16th. Aleeyah Hoefer placed 28th, Charlie Dorsey 38th, Adelle Fors 50th and Ruby Stimpson 62nd.

East Sac County's Aubrey Renze finished 22nd, Petra Millan was 40th, Gracie Harty 65th and Nevaeh Stone 72nd.