Jordan Hett trims 28 seconds from last year’s time
News editor
Despite cold conditions Saturday at 3A state cross-country at Rim Rock Farm outside of Lawrence, Marion High School senior Jordan Hett improved his state time by 28 seconds from 2011.
He ran the course in 16 minutes, 45 seconds after running it in 17:13 in 2011. But the improved time wasn’t enough to improve on last year’s third-place finish, as he received a sixth-place medal Saturday.
“The course was quite difficult with several very steep hills,” coach Rebecca Hofer said. “There were also several forest paths with wood chip ground coverings which made footing unpredictable.
“The upside was the course was a beautiful place to run with a wonderful view,” she said.
The Warriors, who placed third at their regional meet, finished eighth out of 12 teams.
Senior Patrick McCarty placed 35th with a time of 18:02; junior Timothy Knolla, 50th, 18:31; senior Jacob Cope, 55th, 18:39; senior Clark Kroupa, 94th, 20:23; junior Jared Hague, 98th, 21:13; and sophomore Quinton Hett, 99th, 21:24.
“The guys’ race times were very impressive,” Hofer said. “Both Jacob and Clark earned season (personal records), while several others came close.
“With this year’s times, Jordan would have gotten first last year, Patrick would have gotten 20th last year, and Timothy would have gotten 30th last year,” Hofer said. “That just shows the increase in competition, and the quality of runners the boys ran against this year.”