The 2022 Wagner Cross Country Season started off with a bang! The word 'bang' is one that can be taken 100% literally. Yes, it was a crazy weather morning at the opening season Mitchell Cross Country Meet on Saturday, August 27th. The Girl's JV got to start their 3K race on time as this was before the thunder and lightning started. However, by the time the last runners from that race were coming in, the weather took a turn forcing a weather delay. In hopes to continue the race, they planned on running in 30 minutes once the weather had passed. But the weather was not agreeable, and the teams had to wait for three consecutive weather delays.

With these delays, the staff decided to get as many runners in as possible once the weather was decent. They raced the Boy's JV, Boy's Varsity, and Girl's Varsity all at the same time in a 4K race. To say the start line was crowded was an understatement! These kids were body-on-body at the start of the race but, eventually, they were able to spread out while they all ran.

This first meet is a great introduction to the Cross-Country season with a shorter race for these kids. It is also a course that is generally flat with little, or no hills. The Wagner XC Team had a great race day. We are extremly proud of these kids for racing with such heart in such unpredictable weather.

The results are as follows:

JV Girl's 3K: Presley Slaba 14:31 Jessica Barnett 15:57 Jenny Barnett 16:56 Janessa Powers 22:58 Boy's JV and Varsity 4K: Lael Young 15:48 Vince Bechen 16:53 Caleb Zephier 16:54 Jason Weston 16:59 Jackson Rolston 17:04 Theodore Slaba 17:39 Sidoral Zephier 19:20 Charlie Kocer 20:00 DJ Schroeder 21:24

Photos by Mieke Slaba