NEBRASKA STATE MEET

Juan Gonzalez Lowers All-Time State Meet Record, Leads Fremont To Team Title; Milford East Wins Class A Girls Crown

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

The fastest time in Nebraska state meet history now belongs to Juan Gonzalez.

On Friday at the Nebraska State High School State Cross Country Championships at Kearney Cross Country Club, the Fremont senior covered the 5,000-meter course in a state-record time of 14 minutes, 52.1 seconds, bettering the previous record of 14:58 set by Hartington-Newcast’s Carson Noecker. 

Gonzalez, No. 7 in the latest DyeStat rankings, collected his third Class A state individual title easily as he was the only runner to finish under 15 minutes. Second place went to Lincoln North Star junior Josiah Bitker (15.42.2). Gonzalez’s record-breaking run helped propel Fremont to the team title as well with three other runners finishing in the top 11. Fremont finished with 47 points, while Lincoln North Star was second (62). 

In the Class A girls race, Kearney’s Abigail Burger, a senior, became the first individual in 26 years from the program to win an individual title as she crossed the line first in a time of 18.36.4. Milford East put an end to the run of Lincoln East, winning the crown with 54 points.

In their first year back in Class B, the Lincoln Pius boys dominated the field, winning their first team state title since 2007 with 38 points. Hastings was runner-up with 66 points. Individually, Gretna East’s Braden Lofquest won the race in 15:14.6.

The Class B girls title was won by Elkhorn North, which edged out defending champion Norris, 26-32. Elkhart North had six runners in the top 15. Senior Kendall Zavala of Norris won the race in an impressive time of 18:23.9. 

Lincoln Christian sophomore Trevin Opp won his first state title easily, covering the course in 16.11.8, more than 25 seconds faster than the next runner. The Holdrege boys claimed the Class C team title tallying 50 points with four runners in the top 20. 

After finishing second a year ago, the Auburn girls edged out Scotus Central 64-68 for the Class C state crown. Individually, Arlington senior Hailey O’Daniel finished first in 19:26.1. 

Perkins County and North Platte St. Patrick’s each scored 28 points to tie for the Class D boys state title. Perkins’ Mason McGreer won the race in 15:52.2, while teammate Elijah Goodell was right behind in 15:56.2. 

McCool Junction freshman Kayleigh Betka led her team to a Class D title as she won the race in 19:35.1.  

TEAM CHAMPIONS

Class A: Fremont boys 47 points; Milford East girls 54 points 

Class B: Lincoln Pius boys 38 points; Elkhart North girls 26 points 

Class C: Holdrege boys 50 points; Auburn girls 64 points 

Class D: North Platte St. Patrick’s High & Perkins boys 18 points; McCool Junction girls 31 points