High School Boys
In the high school boys 5,000-meter race, North Platte junior Noah Heckman and South Shelby sophomore Noah Wilt battled for the lead early in the race. The 2nd-half of the race saw Wilt take control with a chase pack of Heckman, Bourbon freshman Brett Payne, and Stoutland senior Bradley Shaw.
South Shelby sophomore Noah Wilt leads Bourbon freshman Brett Payne (left), North Platte junior Noah Heckman (right), and Stoutland senior Braedley Shaw (back left) at 3,100-meters into the varsity boys race. Wilt should be a contender for the Class 2 title at state next month.
South Shelby's Wilt crossed the finish in 17:20 to earn his 3rd victory of the season. Stoutland's Shaw was 2nd in 17:25, beating Heckman to the line. Heckman was 3rd in 17:27, while Bourbon's Brett Payne settled for 4th in 17:36. Payne's time put him 27th on the fastest times by freshman list in the state.
Heckman in 3rd was the top finisher for North Platte, who put 3 in the top-12. Senior Josh Schaffart was 7th while freshman Drake Keraus was 12th. The Panthers finished with 58-points to earn the team title. Bishop LeBlond appears to have tied for the award for the longest drive to the meet. The Eagles and St. Joseph Christian edged North Platte in that category, making the trip from St. Joseph to Columbia. Bishop LeBlond also earned 2nd-place in the boys race, scoring 81 points.
Team Champions North Platte
Palmyra edged Russellville and South Callaway for 3rd, 104-points to 111 and 118. Twenty-seven schools were represented in the race where 11-teams had five or more finishers to score points. One Hundred and fourteen boys finished the race.