Trojan runners place at Garnett

The Osawatomie Trojan Cross Country Team opened its season at the 5th Annual Jerry Howarter Invitational at the Garnett Country Club on September 3, 2009.

Brendan Soucie was the top finisher for either the boys or girls varsity teams, as he placed ninth overall on the boys 5K course with a time of 5:52.9. Dustin Kueser placed 21st overall with a time of 6:08.1. Rounding out the Trojan boys were Cody Applegarth (6:51.7); Luke Billingsley (6:54.8) and Michael Del Valle (7:10.05). In the team standings, the Trojans placed 10th with a total of 198 points. The event was won by DeSoto with 40 points. Rounding out the top five teams were Baldwin (46 points), Santa Fe Trail (118 points), Iola (130 points) and Anderson County (152 points).

Tabitha Keast was the top finisher for the girls varsity team, as she covered the 4K course in a time of 9:11.4 and finished in 53rd place. Other finishers for the Trojans were Morgan Pope (9:18.5), Julia Dorsett (9:22.0), Natalia Diediker (9:40.5) and Crystal Firley (9:53.5). Baldwin took the overall team championship with 33 points, while the Trojans were in eighth place with 242 points. Rounding out the top five were DeSoto (48 points) Chanute (90 points), Spring Hill (119 points) and Louisburg (132 points).

In the girls Junior Varsity event, Rebecca Fisher (9:01.8) was the top Trojan finisher in 34th place, Hannah Waddle (9:42.2) finished 42nd for Osawatomie.

In the boys Freshman event, Grant Maimer (6:44.0) took the fourth position over the 4K course to post the highest finish for any Trojan on the day. Shay Neal (7:43.9) finished in the 18th spot for Osawatomie.

Soucie, Keuser place at Bonner Springs

The Osawatomie Trojans entered their two top runners in the Bonner Springs High School Invitational Cross Country Meet on Saturday, September 19, 2009, placing both in the top 15 runners in the event.

Brendan Soucie finished in the top ten in the event with a time of 17:24.61, which was good enough for ninth place. Dustin Kueser covered the 5K course in a time of 17:40.38 which placed him 14th on the day.

“I thought these two did a great job and had awesome races against a very talented field,” said Trojan Head Coach Amber Campbell. “I feel this will give them that ‘extra incentive’ for the rest of the season.”

The event was won by Brooks Ballou of the host team Bonner Springs with a time of 16:31.35. Rounding out the top ten were Angel Vasquez (16:34.24) of Desoto; Pete Lamoe (16:45.08) of Lansing; David Beckenhaur (17:08.62) of Pittsburg; Austin Hincey (17:11.46) of DeSoto; Sam Rourke (17:13.80) of Paola; Max Ash (17:18.77) of Olathe Northwest; Jake Colvin (17:24.29) of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; Soucie; and Diego Sanchez (17:26.04) of DeSoto.

The full Trojan team will return to action on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at Prairie View.