Photo courtesy of Spearfish Spartans Cross Country Facebook.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Spearfish Spartans boys cross country team put together several personal-best performances at the Nike Heartland Preview, led by sophomore Rylan VanDeest’s top-10 finish in the championship 5,000-meter race.
VanDeest finished 10th overall with a personal-best time of 16 minutes, 7.4 seconds. He was the first Spearfish runner across the finish line in a competitive championship field.
Junior Mason Gill gave Spearfish a second runner inside the top 20. Gill crossed the finish line in 16:25.5 to place 20th overall, also setting a personal best.
The Spartans continued to place runners near the front of the field with junior Carter Thompson. Thompson finished 32nd overall in 16:42.7, giving Spearfish three runners among the top 32. His time was another personal best for the Spartans.
Freshman Roman Jeffery was Spearfish’s fourth finisher, placing 54th overall with a personal-best time of 17:14.1.
Spearfish’s depth continued with eighth grader Bastian Gonzales, who finished 77th in 17:44.4. Gonzales also recorded a personal best. Freshman Anthony Stevens followed in 84th place with another personal-best performance, crossing the finish line in 17:49.7.
The Spartans’ performance was highlighted by the strength of their front group. VanDeest, Gill and Thompson all finished among the top 32, while Spearfish’s first six runners each recorded personal-best times.
Spearfish Boys Results
Rylan VanDeest, So. — 10th, 16:07.4 (PB)
Mason Gill, Jr. — 20th, 16:25.5 (PB)
Carter Thompson, Jr. — 32nd, 16:42.7 (PB)
Roman Jeffery, Fr. — 54th, 17:14.1 (PB)
Bastian Gonzales, 8th — 77th, 17:44.4 (PB)
Anthony Stevens, Fr. — 84th, 17:49.7 (PB)