Sisson repeats in Class A

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

KEARNEY — Emily Sisson says she’s not much of a history buff when it comes to cross country.

The Millard North sophomore doesn’t get too interested with record books and times until the spring.

“Every track is 400 meters and flat,” Sisson said.

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Millard North sophomore and Girls Class A winner, Emily Sisson, runs alone during the last half mile of the race at the NSAA State Cross Country meet. (Gwyneth Roberts)

Millard North sophomore and Girls Class A winner, Emily Sisson, runs alone during the last half mile of the race at the NSAA State Cross Country meet. (Gwyneth Roberts)

Even if she’s not keeping track, Sisson continues to dominate high school cross country in a manner not seen in some time. The gap isn’t closing, either.

Friday at the State High School Cross Country Championships, Sisson won the  all-class Gold Medal for the second time, improving her meet record of 14 minutes, 35 seconds, which she set as a freshman running for Omaha Marian.

This year, Sisson was 10 seconds faster, when many others ran slower on the 4,000-meter course. The next-closest of the 398 girls competing was about 40 seconds behind Sisson, who remains on pace to become only the third four-time individual state champion.

Omaha Marian won its fifth straight Class A state championship, narrowly beating Sisson’s new team. Lincoln Pius X, Fort Calhoun and Crofton were the other class winners. All but Pius X were repeats.

Katie White of Broken Bow became the sixth girl in state history to win three individual championships. She fought off illness to win the Class C race by about 30 seconds.

In Class B, Sidney’s Kaitlyn Wells broke free from a pack that was still seven runners strong with less than a mile to go to get her first win ever.

Amy Long of Bayard won in Class D, adding a state championship to the one she won in 2005.

“I came back last year and got eighth, which was a big disappointment,” the senior said. “It’s good to be back on top.”

— Brent C. Wagner