Photos: Going for gold and braving the cold at state cross country meet
Chilly temperatures greeted runners at this year's state cross country meet at the Kearney Country Club. Journal Star photos by Francis Gardler.
Lincoln East's Izzy Apel (25) and teammates Jenna Muma, Peyton Svehla and Berlyn Schutz celebrate their Class A girls team title as they take in cheers from the fans in the crowd at the state cross country meet Oct. 23 at Kearney Country Club.
Seward's Karnie Gottschalk (right) and her teammates earned the Class B Girls team title on Oct. 23 during the NSAA State Cross Country championships at Kearney Country Club.
Lincoln East's Izzy Apel (25) leads her teammates as they head toward the finish line and the team title in Class A at the state cross country meet Oct. 23 at Kearney Country Club.
Omaha Marian's Stella Miner won the Class A girls title at the state cross country meet Oct. 23 at Kearney Country Club.
Lincoln North Star's Liem Chot captured his third state title in a row in the Class A boys race at the state cross country meet Oct. 23 at Kearney Country Club.
Lincoln North Star's Liem Chot (bottom) looks behind him to see where Elkhorn South's Gabriel Hinrichs is on the final approach to the finish line in the Class A boys race Oct. 23 at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club.
Lincoln East's Izzy Apel (25) leads her teammates as they head toward the finish line and the team title in the Class A girls race at the state cross country meet Oct. 23 at Kearney Country Club.
Lincoln Southwest's Brianna Rinn took the silver medal in the Class A girls race at the state cross country meet Oct. 23 at Kearney Country Club.
Fans from all around the state brave the cold weather to cheer on their teams during the Class B boys race at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Omaha Skutt's Isaac Reynolds won the Class B boys title at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Gering's Madison Seiler (217) won the Class B girls title at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Gering's Madison Seiler won Class B girls title at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
The Class B girls leaders race through fall colors at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Elkhorn North's Britt Prince heads to the finish line in the Class B girls race at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Omaha Skutt's Ryan Zavadil (334) missed part of the season due to COVID-19, yet finished in second place in the Class B boys race at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
York's Kassidy Stuckey runs in the Class B girls race at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Gering's Madison Seiler (217) won the Class B girls title Friday at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Elkhorn North's Britt Prince heads to the finish line in the Class B girls race at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Pierce's Alexus Sindelar (460) won the Class C girls title at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Lincoln Christian's Sadye Daniell (426) was the Crusader's' top finisher at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23. Christian finished in fourth as a team in Class C.
Minden's Jessie Hurt (left) and Boone Central's Jordan Soto-Stopak battle for third place in the Class C girls race at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Lincoln Christian's Gavin McGerr turns toward the finish line in the Class C boys race at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Hartington's Carson Noecker won the Class C boys title Oct. 23 at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club.
Pierce's Alexus Sindelar (460) won the Class C girls title at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Ogallala's Lindee Henning finished in second in the Class C girls final at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
Hartington's Carson Noecker (526) won the Class C boys title at the state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23.
“Being able to defend my title (two times), I’m only the (third) ever Class A guy to do it, so it’s a big deal, and I’m really, really proud of that."
The Spartans had their best race of the season at the right time Friday to win the team championship at the state meet at Kearney Country Club.
A look at the top performers on the cross country course from the Capital City this past season.