Baxter Boys Secure Third Place at STC Coed Invitational
BREAKING: The Baxter boys cross country team has just clinched a remarkable third place at the STC Coed Invitational, held on October 16, 2023, at South Tama County High School. Missing their top runner, Max Handorf, the team still managed to score 91 points, finishing behind two highly ranked programs.
In a stunning display, Class 3A No. 8 Grinnell dominated the meet, securing the championship with an impressive 28 points and placing all five scoring runners in the top 11. Class 2A No. 17 Grundy Center followed closely, finishing second with 66 points. The competition was fierce, with Baxter outperforming South Tama County (104) and East Marshall (120) to secure their podium spot.
Leading the charge for Baxter, Brecken Fisher finished seventh in the boys’ 5K race, clocking in at 17 minutes, 55 seconds. Close behind, Maddux Tuhn took tenth place with a time of 19:03, while Maddox Peters secured a spot in the top 20, finishing 16th at 20:10.
As the race unfolded, Fisher’s strong performance highlighted the team’s resilience, especially in the absence of Handorf. The remaining runners included Dakota Parker, who placed 34th with a time of 21:57, and Parker Bonney in 37th at 22:23. Non-scoring runners included Lincoln Russell and Sam Wilhelm, finishing 49th and 53rd, respectively.
The boys’ race was won by Class 2A No. 1 Emerson Vokes from Grundy Center, who finished in a blistering 16:23. Cadel Conner of Grinnell followed as the runner-up with a time of 16:47.
In unfortunate news, Baxter’s sole girl competitor, Elsie Hauser, was unable to compete due to injury, leaving the team without representation in the girls’ race.
This performance at the STC Coed Invitational not only highlights Baxter’s competitive spirit but also sets the stage for future meets. With the next competition on the horizon, all eyes will be on the team as they aim to build on this success and strive for even higher rankings.
Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses and the Baxter team gears up for their next challenge!
