Walter Bierman was the only member of the South Loup men’s team to qualify for the State Cross Country meet. He earned the 11th place medal at districts last week. (Photos courtesy CPS)

The South Loup cross country team saw their hard work throughout the season pay off as they competed in the NSAA D-4 District Meet in Neligh on Thursday, Oct. 15. The South Loup girls’ team finished in third place overall, which qualified all five runners for the state meet in Kearney.

The girls' team was led, as has been the case all season, by senior Jade Bierman. Jade turned in the fastest time of her high school career thus far at the district meet, finishing in 21:15.7, shaving 36 seconds off of her previous best time. That time earned her the 10th place medal.

Sophomore Chloe Coleman also ran her personal best time at districts of 22:57.9, good for 18th place. Lia Russell, just a freshman, had her best run of her short high school career so far, finishing with a time of 23:45.2 for 23rd place, and Delanie Weinman finished in 28th with a time of 24:20.4. Rounding out the girls’ team is Tasia Trotter, whose time of 27:18.7 was her personal best.

There were 52 runners in the girls division who completed the race. Winning the individual gold medal was Delani Runnels of Niobrara/Verdigree with a time of 19:29.8. The girls’ district team championship went to Ord.

On the men’s side, senior Walter Bierman qualified for the state meet with his best time of the season of 18:24.1, good for 11th place. Jaden Baker, a junior, ran a time of 19:02.0 to come in 18th place, and freshman Dagan Fletcher ran a time of 21:13.4 - his best time thus far.

The Bobcats will compete in the Class D State Cross Country Meet at the Kearney Country Club on Friday, Oct. 23. The race begins at noon.