Ralston leads Papillion-La Vista South to first state XC title

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Senior Jacob Ralston led Papillion-La Vista South to the NSAA Class A cross country championship Friday in Kearney. Ralston moved up from fourth place last year. 

The Titans scored 72 points in a tight race that saw four teams separated by 13 points. Ralston ran 15 minutes, 55.5 seconds to win by more than 20 seconds. It was the first team title in school history and Ralston's was the first individual title for the school as well.

Senior Gabrielle McGinn of Millard West pulled away from Lincoln East duo Abigail Schmidt and Jenna Muma to win the Class A girls title in 18:49.6.

Mazie Larsen of Gretna won her third straight Class B title, running 19:20.1 for a five-second winning margin. Aurora put three in the top 11 for the team win. In the boys race, Skutt Catholic (Omaha) put four in the top 16 to run off with the team title. Luke Stuckey of York ran 16:25.2 to pace the field.

Aidan Wheelock of Minden and Taya Skelton of Fort Calhoun defended their 2016 titles in Class C. Wheelock won the boys race in 16:44 and Skelton ran 19:33.2 to win her third title. Holdrege swept the team titles. The girls edged out Fort Calhoun, 48-61. The boys scored 35 points.

Ainsworth sophomore Rylee Rice led her team to the Class D girls title with her individual win (18:44.7). She won by 59 seconds. For the second year in a row, Rice was the fastest girl in the meet. Aquinas Catholic senior Elijah Frasher won the boys D race in 16:33.4. Malcolm put four in the top 16 and won the team title.

2016 Recap 

2015 Recap  

2017 Results - Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D

Team Champions

Boys A - Papillion-La Vista South 72 points

Girls A - Millard West 45 points

Boys B - Omaha Skutt Catholic 37 points

Girls B - Aurora 47 points

Boys C - Holdrege 35 points

Girls C - Holdrege 48 points

Boys D - Malcolm 36 points

Girls D - Ainsworth 60 points