Tennis team collects more first place medals at Phillipsburg, home invitational

PHILLIPSBURG — A young varsity girls’ tennis team swept the competition for another first place finish Sept. 12 at Phillipsburg in the round robin against Phillipsburg, Scott City, Concordia and Norton.

The No. 1 doubles team of sophomore Inarie Rippert and freshman Reygan Coonrod, No. 2 singles sophomore Felis De La Cruz and the No. 2 doubles duo of junior Elena Jundt and freshman Hannah Vague each had a 4-0 record. No. 1 singles freshman Karli Haase faced tough competition and placed second, going 3-1.

The team also hosted the Ellsworth Invitational Sept. 14, where they racked up 60 points, taking home the gold medal against Chapman, Hoisington, Phillipsburg, Smoky Valley, Sterling, Victoria and Wabaunsee.

The team’s next contest will be Sept. 26 at home.

Runners set new personal bests, medal at St. John/ Stafford meet

The cross country team traveled to the St. John/ Stafford meet Sept. 14, bringing home several medals as well as personal best times.

In the girls’ race, freshman Molly Ehrlich finished in seventh place running a time of 22:36 and running a personal best time. This was her third medal of the season.

Sophomore Kate Rathbun finished just two seconds short of her personal best time, finishing at 24:31. She placed 24th.

Placing 37th, freshman Reese Grothusen ran a time of 25:57, which was her personal best.

“Reese had one of the strongest races I’ve seen her run and took a lot of time off her previous personal best,” Head Coach Eric Coonrod said.

Sophomore Addison Thomas finished in 43rd with a time of 26:37 and freshman Nell Goss ran a time of 33:47, placing 55th with a personal best time.

In the boys’ race, sophomore Trenton Holmes finished in 60th place with a time of 21:11.

Overall, the Bearcats finished in fifth place, making numerous improvements throughout the team.

“The St. John/Stafford course has always been good to us over the years; this year was no different,” Coonrod said. “The junior high and high school runners performed well, with some medals and personal best times turned in … Several of the kids’ times have been steadily improving, and we’ll hopefully look to peak during league and regional week.”

The cross country team will travel to Lyons Sept. 26.