The Andes Central/Dakota Christian Thunder Cross Country Runners had a very good day competing at the Burke Invitational last Thursday, September 27.

Top placers were Isabella Brouwer 3rd in the Girls Varsity, Peter Backes 25th in the Boys Varsity, Tony Hansum 10th in the Boys Junior Varsity and Kalee Dykshorn 2nd in the Elementary Girls Race.

“Everyone really stepped up and challenged themselves," commented Coach Larry Lucas. "Seventh grader Peter Backes ran a great 5K and his running ability should be good enough to earn him a ticket to the State Cross Country Meet. Hannah and Sonya Hansum ran strong 5Ks to help us have a competitive Girls Varsity Team.”

Team results for the girls were: Winner (25), Kimball/White Lake (29), James Valley Christian (31), Alcestor-Hudson (44), Burke (52), Andes Central Dakota Christian (63), Gayville-Volin (66), Freeman/ Marion (70), Wagner (92), and Bon Homme (122).

The Burke Meet also hosted the Great Plains Conference. The Great Plains Conference consists of schools from the southeast corner of South Dakota to the south central including Alcester-Hudson, Gayville-Volin, Freeman Academy/Marion, Scotland, Avon, Burke, Tripp/Delmont/Armour and Andes Central/Dakota Christian. Conference Results were: Isabella Brouwer 2nd (19:52), Hannah Hansum 16th (23:50), Sonya Hansum 17th (24:18), and Peter Backes 10th (20:57). Maddy Fairley from Gayville-Volin was the Great Plains Conference Champ.

The Thunder run at Parkston this Thursday, October 4, with a race time of 4:45 pm.

The Region Meet is at Freeman on October 10 and the State Meet is in Sioux Falls on October 20.