After Jordan Stopak, Sam Weeder and Autumn Simons graduated from Boone Central’s second straight Class C state championship team and 2020 7th place state medalist Alicia Weeder suffering a season-ending injury this past summer, the Cardinals knew it would be an uphill battle to return to state competition in 2021.
Uphill, downhill, across flat stretches, the remaining Card runners persevered, improved and did, indeed, keep Boone Central’s qualifying streak alive last week in the C-4 District at Aurora, placing third behind medalists Morgann Johnson (6th) and KayLee Miller (11th).
The Boone boys gave an effort praised by Coach Justin Harris, but came up short with a fifth-place finish. Senior Harrison Dodds completed his own individual feat, however, qualifying for a fourth consecutive state berth with a sixth-place run.
“I am proud of our team and their efforts throughout the season. We had 10 of the 12 kids run a personal record for the season,” Harris praised. “The girls kept their focus on district and getting to where we needed to be when the day arrived. They competed well and focused on getting done what they needed to.”
Boone Central runners will compete in the 2021 Nebraska State Championships Friday (Oct. 22) at the Kearney Country Club. Class C girls will run at 12:30 p.m., with the Class C boys race at 1:30 p.m.
Complete details and results in Print & Online editions of Albion News/Boone County Tribune
