North Decatur Cross Country participated in the annual Great Pumpkin Invitational held at South Ripley HS on Thursday evening and had a tremendous showing from all runners. The cool temps allowed for ideal running conditions for the first time this season and the athletes’ times did not disappoint.
The Lady Chargers finished as runner-ups in a very quality field and were led by Rileigh Hash with a 3rd place finish in a new PR of 21:21! Also earning Top 10 honors and recording PR’s were Emily Baldwin 7th place (22:44), Nora Amerber 9th place (23:14), and LaShay Dwiggins in 10th place (23:23). Freshman Makayla Tebbe also ran her fastest time of her young career in 24:19 good enough for 15th. Emerson Gunn 25:30 and Jessie Blitz 28:00 also ran their fastest times of the season.
The Charger boys also had a great showing on the night as well and leading the “Charge” and finishing 2nd overall was Harper Gunn. Harper set a new PR with a fast time of 16:34 which was good enough to place him second All Time on the North Decatur Record board. Freshman Fletcher Hash continued to impress and crossed the line in 15th place with a new PR of 17:53 breaking the 18 minute barrier for the first time. Clayton Ruf’s hard work is starting to show as he destroyed his personal record, eclipsing the 19 minute mark with a time of 18:39 finishing in 23rd. Declan Kellems broke the 20 minute barrier for the first time in his young career crossing the finish line in 19::40-PR and Elliott Barber continues to lower his as well with a tremendous run of 22:29.
The Chargers continue to look forward to improvement as they head into the final stretch of the season. Their next meet will be on Thursday, October 1 at the Greensburg Invite.
