Puetz takes eighth at State Cross Country
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
Under absolutely ideal running conditions, Raehs Puetz broke into the top 10 finishers at the State Cross Country Meet in Minot on Saturday.
Puetz, who has been the leading runner on the Wolves’ boys cross country team all season, left his mark at the State Meet as he finished in eighth place with a time of 17:16.58, to help lead Watford City to an eighth place team finish.
“The boys team had many personal bests on Saturday,” stated Greg Brown, Wolves’ head coach. “They ran very well to get there. One of these years, all the pieces will fit together and the boys will move into the top five.”
Also placing at the State Meet for the boys team was Michael Brown, 49, 19:04.03; Dakota Garmann, 68, 19:34.81; Devin Schmitz, 76, 19:47.85; Hunter DeFoe, 110, 20:25.85; Jack Gillispey, 116, 20:33.44; Lathan Smith, 128, 20:58.77; Osman Leon, 179, 22:42.26; Trevor Alveshere, 182, 22:51.01; and Cauy Hartel, 183, 22:51.45.
Brown was equally pleased with the performance of the Watford City girls team, which finished in 17th place with only four runners.
“With the girls, we ran many personal best times,” stated Brown. “I was excited to take 17th place with the girls, as we ran a runner short on Saturday, and beat many teams that had full teams and were the first team in using a ghost runner. The girls used every opportunity.”
Kara Langerud was the first Watford City girl to cross the finish line as she completed the run in 42nd place in a time of 17:13.34. Also placing for the girls team was Addison Sundeen, 67, 17:54.21; Chelsea Cryer, 107, 18:51.11; and Lea Arndt, 128, 19:21.18.
“Both teams put themselves in positions to score high for their respective teams,” stated Brown. “There is a lot of great competition at the State Meet and both teams rose to the occasion on Saturday.”