The 2018 NSAA state cross country championships were held Friday at the Kearney Country Club. The Class D girls team title went to Ainsworth. The Lady Bulldogs were led by Rylee Rice who claimed her third state championship in a winning time of 19:25.6. Molly Paxton of Mullen finished 8th overall in a time of 20:48.6. Other area finishes included: Alicia Rhoads of Arcadia/Loup City 48th (22:15.9) ; Jymmie Jensen of Burwell 60th (22:37.8) ; Jenaya Pierce of SEM 72nd (23:00.9)
The Class D boys team championship went to Malcolm. Benjamin Arens of Ainsworth took the individual gold with a winning time of 16:02.4. Collin Arehart of Ansley/Litchfield placed 46th (18:42.3) and Trevor Kuncl of Mullen placed 80th (19:26.0)
The Class B girls team championship went to Lincoln Pius X. Samantha Polermo of Norris was the individual champion in a winning time of 19:57.7. Lexington’s Madison Smith placed 5th in a time of 20:30.1
The Class B boys team championship was won by Omaha Skutt and Lexington claimed the runner-up trophy. The individual champion was Ryan Zavadil of Skutt in a winning time of 16:28. Alexis Hernandez of Lexington was 4th (16:40.1) and Yanni Vasquezgarcia of Lexington was 8th (17:01.6)
Holdrege claimed the Class C girls team championship. The individual champion was Lucia McKeag of Ogallala in a winning time of 19:49. Natalie Engel of Cozad placed in the top 10 finishing 8th (20:49.3)
The Class C boys team championship was claimed by Sidney. Aiden Wheelock of Minden posted the winning time of 16:31.8. William Anderson of Gothenburg placed 11th in a time of 17:35.7.
The Class A girls team title went to Lincoln East with Kaylie Crews of Papillion-La Vista South winning the individual title in a time of 18:42.5
The Class A boys team title went to Fremont with Liem Chot of Lincoln North Star winning the individual title in a time of 16:08.8