~ by Dustin Teays for The Scranton Journal
The Greene County Rams cross country teams recently competed at the state qualifying meet in Red Oak. One runner punched their ticket to the state meet.
For the Rams, both the boys and girls teams finished in eighth place. The difference between the teams was that Noah Hinote finished eighth overall and qualified for the state meet in Fort Dodge on Nov. 2. This makes it his third time qualifying for the state meet in his career.
“I just want Noah to enjoy his state meet experience. Of course, he’s a competitor and wants to do well, but most of all I just want him to soak in the experience and feel that sense of pride that comes with being one of the few that make it to state competition. He has accomplished a lot in his career and I couldn’t be more proud,” head coach Jeff Lamoureux said.
While Noah is the only one who is having his season continue, both teams enjoyed success throughout the year, something they should be proud of. The girls team also battled more than just the course throughout the year.
“I am very pleased with the performance of both boys and girls this season. There were some ups and downs but overall a successful season. We improved immensely over the season and learned a lot about running and what it takes to be successful,” Lamoureux added. “I am extremely proud of the girls team this year. They made great progress and showed and had a great attitude. It is a difficult situation only having five runners (the minimum for a team score). It puts a lot of pressure to perform and to commit.”
While Noah will run in his last cross country meet as a Greene County Ram, there is plenty to be looking forward to with cross country for the Rams.
“Losing Noah next year will be a big hit to the team but we are set to have another great season with our underclassmen. Carter Hinote really made a lot of progress this year and is poised to have a great senior season. Brady Carstensen is such a competitor and wants to do well. I have no doubt he will have a great season next year. And our two freshmen on varsity, Nick Black and Kole Johnson-Peterson have a bright future,” Lamoureux concluded. “On the girls’ side, Rylee Mowrer will keep getting better and better. She has a great work ethic and I look for her to do some great things in her career. I am really excited and happy with the progress of cross country in Greene County”
Ram boys at Red Oak: Noah Hinote, 8th, 17:56.61; Carter Hinote, 36th, 19:26.49; Nick Black, 44th, 19:55.85; Kole Johnson-Petersen, 62nd, 21:10.95; Eli Carstensen, 71st, 21:39.60; Jayden Koller, 72nd, 21:56.46; and Raymond Bauer, 100th, 23:36.75.
Boys team scores: Chariton 44, Okoboji, Milford 81, Sheldon 110, Van Meter, 125 points, Red Oak 128, PCM 153, Albia 198, Greene County 220, Shenandoah 241, I-35 244, Clarinda 11 246, Clarke 288, South Central Calhoun, 326 points.
Ram girls at Red Oak: Rylee Mowrer, 34th, 24:53.88; Ava Jablonski, 51st, 27:30.27; Evelyn Snyder, 52nd, 27:35.70; Cora Powers, 66th 31:27.05; Leah McCormick, 69th, 37:22.36.
Girls team scores: Van Meter 30, PCM, Monroe 52, Albia 63, I-35 108, Clarinda 143, Shenandoah 155, Okoboji Milford 173, Greene County 235, and Chariton 244.
