The Baxter boys cross country team achieved a commendable third-place finish at the Clarke Cross Country Invitational held on September 26, 2023. Competing against top teams, the Bolts scored 55 points, narrowly missing the runner-up position to Class 3A Creston, which finished with 52 points. The event was dominated by Class 2A’s top-ranked team, Chariton, which captured the championship with an impressive 25 points, claiming the first four individual spots.
Baxter head coach Ian Thomson expressed optimism about the team’s performance, highlighting the return of key runner Max Handorf, who is recovering from a hip injury. “With Max mostly healthy, our top three runners are just as good as any other front three in Class 1A,” Thomson stated. His focus remains on the progression of runners Maddox Peters and Dakota Parker as the team prepares for upcoming competitions.
The Bolts outpaced Van Meter, ranked 17th in Class 2A, which finished fourth with 139 points. Other competitors included Interstate 35 (135 points), Clarke (160 points), Martensdale-St. Marys (164 points), Southwest Valley (194 points), and Southeast Warren (220 points) in the nine-team field.
In the individual race, Chariton’s Lucas Anderson secured first place in the boys’ 5K with a time of 17:05.10, followed closely by Chariton’s Cy Stuart, ranked ninth in Class 2A, finishing in 17:06.87. Creston’s team performance featured placements of 5th, 7th, 12th, 13th, and 19th, while Baxter’s runners finished 6th, 8th, 9th, 16th, and 20th.
Thomson remarked on the value of racing against the top team in Class 2A, noting that finishing just a few points behind Creston was a testament to the team’s capabilities, especially considering they are still not at full strength. He anticipates positive results in their next two meets, which promise fast courses and strong competition.
Leading the Baxter team was Brecken Fisher, finishing in 6th place with a time of 17:43.61. Handorf, making his return from injury, placed 8th in 18:22.99, while Maddux Tuhn secured 9th with a time of 18:39.28. The additional scoring runners included Peters in 16th place (20:01.83) and Parker in 20th place (20:46.59). Non-scoring runners included Lincoln Russell, Parker Bonney, Levi Gregory, and Sam Wilhelm, finishing in 34th, 39th, 58th, and 63rd places, respectively.
Thomson also mentioned a cautious approach regarding Handorf’s condition, particularly given the hilly nature of the course. “We emphasized using this meet as a workout to test the hip and shake off the rust,” he explained. As the team continues to recover and improve, they aim to solidify their positions heading into more competitive meets.
In a related note, Elsie Hauser, a prominent runner on the girls’ team, did not compete in the girls’ 5K race as she continues her recovery from an injury.
