Sports editor
Week two of the Marion High School cross country season Thursday was eerily similar to week one.
The injury and illness bug bit the Warriors once again, and sophomore Ryan Jones and Louis Holt both turned out strong performances.
Jones was second in the 5K boys’ race with a personal best time of 17 minutes, 56 seconds, and Holt took sixth with a time of 18:45.
It was the first time Jones had broken the 18-minute mark in his career.
However, after missing three runners in the first week to injury and illness, the Warriors had five out at Hesston.
On the girls’ side, top-two runners Camille Christensen and Amanda Richmond did not run, nor did Danae Edwards.
The boys’ number-three runner Andy Shipman was out, as was Brandon Meierhoff for the second straight week.
However, one competitor on both teams stepped up their game.
Junior Jaclyn DeForest and sophomore Michael Kirkpatrick both earned personal record times and medals.
“Jaclyn did a great job of leading our girls’ team this week,” head coach Bethany Carlson said.
DeForest was the only girl to medal with a 16th-place finish, but freshman Jessie Taylor set her personal record with a 4K-time of 19:30.
Kirkpatrick earned a 16th-place medal with a time of 19:38.
Setting personal records on the boys’ team were Philip Gu (22:11), Derek Stuchlik (22:46), and Adam Molleker (23:27).
As a team the boys finished 10th out of 20, and the girls were 17th.
boys’ results (5K)
Sophomore (47 competitors)
Ryan Jones – 17:56@, second.*
Louis Holt – 18:45, sixth.
Michael Kirkpatrick – 19:38@, 16th.*
Derek Stuchlik – 22:46@, 34th.
Adam Molleker – 23:27@, 42nd.
Galen Funk – 25:59, 47th.
Senior (37)
Philip Gu – 22:11@, 26th.
Max Wagner – 23:57, 31st.
@denotes personal record
*denotes medal
girls’ results (4k)
Freshman/Sophomore (68)
Jessie Taylor – 19:30@, 29th.
Taylor Harms – 19:41, 33rd.
Junior/Seniors (76)
Jaclyn DeForest – 17:33@, 16th.*
Anna Laurin – 19:07, 38th.
Bridget Lundy – 19:54, 57th.
@denotes personal record
*denotes medal