Vermillion cross country runners focus on post season

Vermillion cross country runners focus on post season By Parker Knox
Sports Writer With�? Thursdayâ�?�?s Big 8 Conference meet out of the way, Vermillionâ�?�?s cross-country runners now focus squarely on postseason competition, and the goal is simple â�?�? run well at the next meet in order to qualify for the last one. The Tanagers will be at the Region 3A meet at�? 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at�? Lennox along with Beresford, Bridgewater-Canistota, Canton, Dakota Valley, Elk Point-Jefferson, Harrisburg, Lennox, Parker, Sioux Falls Christian, Tea Area and West Central.�? From there the top three teams and the top 20 individuals qualify for the state meet at Huron Oct. 25. Vermillionâ�?�?s varsity boys placed ninth among 19 teams at the Lennox Invitational on Oct. 3, led by Bennet Johnson in 24th place in a time of 17:55 and Brad Orr in 27th in 18:00. One of the faces of Vermillionâ�?�?s cross-country future, eighth-grader Blair Gilkyson, placed 10th in 15:23 as the Tanagersâ�?�? top placer in the girlsâ�?�? varsity run, followed by Morgan Hower in 23rd place in 15:50.�? The Tanager girls also placed ninth among 19 schools. Matt�? Hirschâ�?�?s third and J.R. Mooreâ�?�?s sixth�? topped Tanager runners in the boys JV event. Vermillionâ�?�?s results at Lennox: Boysâ�?�? varsity:�? Bennet Johnson, 24th, 17:55; Brad Orr, 27th, 18:00; Alex Card, 51st, 18:46; Carson Sullivan, 60th, 19:10; Tanner Anderson, 61st, 19:13; Robert Osterberg, 70th, 19:41; Nick Britten, 71st, 19:42. Girlsâ�?�? varsity:�? Blair�? Gilkyson, 10th, 15:23; Morgan Hower, 23rd, 15:50; Jade Fostvedt,�? 69th, 17:50; Beth Szymonski, 73rd, 18:20; Jana Bye, 74th, 18:21. JV boys:�? Matt Hirsch, 3rd, 14:43; J.R. Moore, 6th, 14:58; Ryun Fischbach, 15th, 15:53; SiChuong Huang 23rd, 16:22. Middle school girls:�?  Caitlin Britten, 21st, 15:01. Middle school boys:�?  Kevin Helenurm, 16th, 12:41; Joe Swanson, 20th, 13:18.