The Humboldt cross country program officially launched its season this week, taking on grueling terrain, rising temperatures, and deep fields of competition. Meet organizers pushed race times up to a 9:00 a.m. start to avoid the peak heat of the day, challenging runners to adapt quickly on what the coaching staff considers one of the most demanding courses on their entire schedule.
Despite early-season heat, illnesses, and several athletes competing in their first career races, the Cubs held their ground across middle school and high school divisions.
“Good first race for all of our kids,” Humboldt head coach Eric Carlson said. “We had a few that were running their first race ever, a few that were not feeling well, and a few that were ready to run. This is one of the hardest courses we will race on all year. I was pleased with the way our kids responded to the tough conditions. They all stayed mentally tough and let their training carry them through the race.”
The middle school runners set a strong tone in the 1-mile events. Sutton Wimsett earned a top-10 finish among 57 competitors in the 7th-grade girls race, crossing the line at 6:42. In the 7th-grade boys race, Tripp Carlson led Humboldt with a 19th-place mark of 6:51, closely followed by Cooper Watts in 22nd at 6:56 in a 62-runner field.
In high school action, Humboldt placed three runners near the front of the 2-mile beginner divisions. Alexa Ellis captured 3rd place with a time of 21:33, while Kinley Hart took 4th in 22:40. On the boys side, Bentley Kolb locked down a 6th-place finish at 22:09. In junior varsity action, Raegan Marple placed 17th (20:04) and Willow LaCrone took 23rd (21:20) in a field of 31.
The varsity squads took on the full 5K distance against massive lineups. Aspen Wimsett paced the varsity girls, taking 31st out of 84 runners in 25:47, with Jo Ellison rounding out the effort at 34:24. The varsity boys faced a 91-runner field, led by Jack Works in 49th with a time of 23:20. Carter Collins followed in 64th (24:37), Marccus Whitcomb placed 68th (25:19), and Deegan Megenity crossed in 84th (27:30).
Humboldt Results Summary
- 7th Grade Girls (1 Mile – 57 runners): Sutton Wimsett – 10th (6:42)
- 7th Grade Boys (1 Mile – 62 runners): Tripp Carlson – 19th (6:51); Cooper Watts – 22nd (6:56)
- High School Girls Beginner (2 Mile): Alexa Ellis – 3rd (21:33); Kinley Hart – 4th (22:40)
- High School Boys Beginner (2 Mile): Bentley Kolb – 6th (22:09)
- JV Girls (2 Mile – 31 runners): Raegan Marple – 17th (20:04); Willow LaCrone – 23rd (21:20)
- Varsity Girls (5K – 84 runners): Aspen Wimsett – 31st (25:47); Jo Ellison – 80th (34:24)
- Varsity Boys (5K – 91 runners): Jack Works – 49th (23:20); Carter Collins – 64th (24:37); Marccus Whitcomb – 68th (25:19); Deegan Megenity – 84th (27:30)
Humboldt returns to competition on Thursday, September 10, when the team travels to compete at the Girard Invitational.
