Conference champions

by Mark Dykes

The Hot Springs County High School girls cross country team came home winners last Friday, taking first at the Absaraka Conference Meet in Douglas with 36 points, beating out second place Newcastle's 70. Other teams competing at the meet were: Douglas - 71; Worland - 84; Buffalo - 106; and Wheatland - 163.

The girls also had three finishers in the top 10, with Jules Ward in first place at 20:09.56, Tahja Hunt in second at 21:31.38 and McKenna Bomengen at fourth with 21:48.50.

Hudson Roling also had a strong finish for the boys team, coming in sixth place at 18:46.

Ward, Hunt, Bomengen and Roling were named All-Conference.

Coach Brenna Abel stated the team had a great day on a challenging course. She noted it was windy, and the course had a large hill at the 1.5 mile mark. The girls team looked very strong, she stated, and there were some great finishes.

Regarding Roling specifically, Abel stated he "has little training after coming off his 3A golf state title. He's a competitor and had a great finish."

Other placing include:

Varsity Girls - Stacy Lewis, 13th, 23:33; Olivia Weyer, 16th, 24:34.75; Aime Robinson, 26th, 25:33.64; Erica Meier, 27th, 25:35.25; and Liz Rhodes 26:58.

Varsity Boys - Sean Miller, 35th, 21:05.

The Bobcats will next run at the State Championships at Sheridan. Starting times are: 4A Girls - 10:30 a.m.; 3A Girls - 11 a.m.; 2A Girls - 11:30 a.m.; 4A Girls - 12:15 p.m.; 3A Boys - 12:45 p.m.; 2A Boys - 1:15 p.m.

An awards ceremony will follow the meet.