By Fred Kroner
fred@mahometnews.com
Zach Ruwe won his heat, but finished 33rd overall in the Saturday (Sept. 12) Paxton-Buckley-Loda Invitational.
Ruwe’s 3-mile time was 18 minutes, 23.24 seconds.
Three schools ran at a time. VG/Heritage was in a flight with Dwight and Rantoul.
The team’s other competitors were: Daniel Olson (54th in 19:54.80), Ethan Meneely (57th in 20:01.32), Lucas Carey (62nd in 20:18.10), Rowan Denmark-Collins (67th in 20:34.38), Aidan Ashbrook (72nd in 21:00.60) and Austin Zoch (85th in 27:45.76).
Olson ran his personal-best for the third consecutive meet, breaking the 20-minute mark for the first time. Teammates also achieving their best times of the year were Meneely, Carey and Ashbrook.
Part of Saturday’s meet was held during a rainstorm.
“The rain seemed to inspire some runners and bother others,” VG/Heritage coach Jim Kestner said, “but overall, I’m very pleased to see another week with seven PRs (between the boys and girls).”
Team honors were won by Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond, which edged St. Joseph-Ogden, 57-61. VG/Heritage placed ninth in the 10-team field with a score of 246. Fifteen schools had entries.
VG/Heritage returns to action on Tuesday at Tuscola in a quadrangular meet at Wimple Park.
