The Andes Central/Dakota Christian Thunder Cross Country team competed in their first meet of the 2021 season on Saturday, August 29 at the Mitchell Invitational Meet. In this first meet, competitors run 1000 meters shorter that the standard 5K distance. Running in the Boys’ Varsity Race was Tony Hansum who placed 45th in 18:19. For the girls, Lexi Schoenfelder was 15th (19:06), Anna DeHaan 18th (19:31) and Sonya Hansum 45th (24:05).

“The running conditions were extremely humid and hot and this slowed down our times, said Coach Larry Lucas. More conditioning will help our runners adjust to the hot temps and improve their times. I am looking forward to see all of the runners improve week by week.”

The Mitchell Meet hosted a large number of area schools such as Chamberlain, Miller, Platte-Geddes, Mt. Vernon/Plankinton, Hanson, Bridgewater-Emery, Northwestern, Kimball/White Lake, Corsica/Stickney, Sanborn Central/Woonsocket, Mitchell Christian, Avon and Wagner. No team scores were compiled. Top individual finishers in the varsity races were Kinsey Evans from Chamberlain and Pierce Baumberger from Miller.

Also for the Thunder, 7th grader Eilie DeHaan placed a strong 10th in the Girls JV, running her first race.

The Thunder also competed at Gregory on Tuesday, August 31. Results of this meet will be reported next week.