Class D girls season preview

jayslagle
50 minutes ago
10 min read

Contributor: The Nerd

2024 State teams (max possible returners in 2025)

1. 31 McCool Junction (5 of 5)

2. 42 Sandy Creek (3 of 3)

3. 44 Pender (2)

4. 57 Nebraska Christian (3)

5. 57 Tri County (3 of 4)

6. 63 Mullen (3 of 4)

7. 63 Homer (5)

8. 70 Hemingford (4)

9. 71 Ainsworth (2 of 4)

10. 78 Crofton (4 of 5)

11. 91 Wallace (3)

12. 99 Elm Creek (4 of 4)

13. 109 Elkhorn Valley (top 3)

14. 111 Freeman (2)

15. 124 West Holt (5)

16. 174 Cambridge (4)

17. 190 Hi-Line (4 of 4)

Top 50 returners and notable 2025 track results

1 Kayleigh Betka, 10, McCool Junction 2:27, 5:19, 11:41 (3^rd D)

2 Sage Holtmeier, 10, Tri County 2:27, 5:28, 11:54 (4^th C)

3 Angela Frick, 12, North Central 2:27, 5:33 (5^th D), 12:06 (7^th D)

5 Madison Shaw, 10, Sandy Creek 59.24, 2:25, 5:16 (1^st C)

6 Mazzy Kuchar, 11, Elkhorn Valley 5:53, 12:00 (8th C)

7 Ava Brennan, 11, Ponca 2:23, 5:22 (6th C), 12:10

8 Corbett Lanum, 12, Omaha Brownell Talbot 2:37, 5:32, 11:54 (5^th C) – Moving to Class C

9 Leah Dawson, 11, McCool Junction 5:25 (2^nd D), 11:35 (1^st D)

10 Lily Daly, 10, Hastings St. Cecilia 2:33, 5:53, 12:31

11 Lilly Harris, 12, Homer 5:42, 11:59 (7^th C) – 29-second PR

14 Isabelle Peters, 12, Tri County 5:45, 12:15 (9^th C)

15 Kiley Orton, 11, Ainsworth 5:49, 12:41

18 Emery Vargas, 12, Hastings St. Cecilia 2:30, 5:55, 12:30

19 Adelyn Edson, 11, Nebraska Christian 5:59, 12:47

21 Grace Nokelby, 10, Nebraska Christian 2:30, 5:49, 12:22 (9^th D)

22 Annie Ludwig, 10, Stuart (sprints, discus)

23 Riley Hegland, 11, Mullen 5:42, 12:07 (8^th D)

24 Kynsleigh Krebs, 10, Gordon-Rushville 1:12, 2:40

25 Megan Breitbarth, 11, Pender 2:31, 6:00, 12:49

27 Madalyn Andersen, 11, Sandy Creek (sprints, hurdles)

28 Hadley Walsh, 12, Pender 2:28, 5:37 (not competing)

29 Callie Fisher, 12, Lutheran High Northeast 6:54, 14:24

30 Sevyn Russell, 10, Doniphan-Trumbull 28.21, 1:00.70, 2:26

31 Paige Stengel, 10, Sandy Creek 5:47, 12:24

32 Ainslee Woltman, 10, Hemingford 6:04, 12:29

33 Jaedyn Bousquet, 12, Homer 5:49, 12:32

34 Azlynn Johnson, 11, Stanton 2:29, 5:44

35 Trinity Buss, 11, Freeman 5:53

36 Natalie Clark, 11, McCool Junction 5:51, 12:28 (qualified for State)

37 Jalise Busch, 10, Burwell 2:32, 5:47

38 Illa Gosnell, 10, Maxwell 2:59, 6:17

41 Sophia Wortmann, 12, Crofton 2:40, 5:53, 12:33

43 Hudsyn Stout, 10, Crofton (sprints)

44 Ashlyn Dehning, 11, Gordon-Rushville 1:12, 2:54

46 Lena Spencer, 11, Burwell 6:28, 12:40 (81-second PR in 2025)

49 Felycia Kerkman, 11, West Holt 6:08, 13:39

We have four changes in classifications that impact Class D. Omaha Brownell Talbot and Madison have moved up from Class D to Class C while Ord and Hershey have dropped from Class C to Class D.

As a reminder, Class D teams are allowed to run up to five athletes at Districts and State, and the placement of the top three athletes is used to calculate a team’s point title.

There are only five seniors among the top 20 returners for Class D girls, and three freshmen finished in the top 5 last fall. With twelve of last year’s medalists returning, I don’t expect this year’s freshman to run roughshod over the field but… we didn’t expect it last year either.

Kayleigh Betka of McCool Junction had quite the freshman season, winning the Class D XC title by 16 seconds before finishing third in the Class D 3200 with a time of 11:41. She also ran a 2:27 and 5:19 earlier in the season. Her 5:19 and 11:41 times are the fourth and third fastest marks, respectively, among girls in this year’s Class D field.

Who’s first in the 3200, you ask? That would be her teammate Leah Dawson, who won the Class D 3200 in 11:35, finished 2^nd in the 1600 in 5:25, and was 9^th at last year’s State XC meet. McCool Junction is looking to repeat as the Class D champion, and they go into the season as the favorite. Their third finisher from last year, Natalie Clark in 36^th, ran 5:51 and 12:28 at the State meet. Claire Brugger and Antonia Boschult also return. Despite being pegged 87^th in the NSAA Class D enrollment counts, McCool Junction ran five girls at last fall’s junior high State meet, and they are one of 9 teams (out of 18) that had a full roster at last year’s high school State meet.

Madison Shaw (Sandy Creek), Lily Daly (Hastings St. Cecilia)

Sandy Creek returns two of its three State competitors from the 2024 runner-up team, led by Class 1600 champ Madison Shaw. After finishing 5^th at State XC as a freshman, she ran 2:25 and 5:16 in the spring. She is joined by Paige Stengel (31^st, 5:47, 12:24). Unfortunately, Madalyn Andersen won’t be running this year despite finishing 27^th in 2024. They will have at least three girls on the team but Andersen will be difficult to replace.

Addie Edson and Grace Nokelby (Nebraska Christian)

Nebraska Christian returns its 1^st, 2^nd and 5^th runners from the 2024 team that finished 4^th. Adelyn Edson (19^th, 5:59, 12:47) and Grace Nokelby (21^st, 2:30, 5:49, 12:22) had solid springs, highlighted by Nokelby’s 9^th-place finish in the Class D 3200. Ava Brumbaugh finished 69^th at State before running 2:34, 6:06 and 12:39 during track season; that 12:39 was for 13^th-place at State. The team should also add incoming freshman McKinley Mankin, who clocked times of 2:28 and 5:39 as an 8^th grader.

By the NSAA enrollment figures, Mullen is the third smallest school competing in cross country this season. Despite that, Broncos finished 6^th in 2024 and 5^th in 2023. Mullen graduated highly-decorated Peyton Paxton but returns two strong juniors with Riley Hegland (23^rd, 5:42, 12:07) and Ady Hampton (57^th, 2:35, 5:55). Unfortunately, the Broncos won't return Harper Anderson (62^nd but 33rd in 2023, 2:32) and won't add incoming freshman Kaisley Phipps, who finished 16^th at the Junior High State XC meet before running 2:35 and 5:52 during track season. Anderson and Phipps will be playing volleyball this fall. With only two athletes on this year's team, they will be able to qualify for State as a team.

Tri County finished 5^th in 2024 with two medalists, 2^nd-place Sage Holtmeier (2:27, 5:28, 11:54) and 14^th-place Isabelle Peters (5:45, 12:15), so they just need a third finisher in the top 30 to be in the mix for a podium finish. Tri County returns 2024 State competitor Jenna Woitalewicz and may be adding incoming freshman Emma Loxterkamp, who had multiple top-5 finishes in XC last fall after finished 25^th at the Junior High State XC meet as a 7^th grader. Emma had season bests of 2:33 (split) and 5:59 during track season. Tri County won the JH State 4x800 in Gothenburg with three 8^th graders and a 7^th grader, but Emma is the only one of those three girls who has run cross country.

Gordon Rushville has a junior transfer from Hill City, South Dakota who will be in the title mix. Rarity Cournoyer finished in the top 15 the Class A division (the middle of three divisions) of the South Dakota State XC meet as an 8^th, 9^th and 10^th grader, and she ran 2:18, 5:13 and 11:47 last spring. She had slightly faster 3200 times from 8^th and 9^th grade, so this young lady had been a top performer for the past three years. Only Delani Runnels and Avery Arens (see below) have faster 1600 times in the field. Gordon Rushville’s returners also include two girls who were individual qualifiers last year: Kynleigh Krebs (24^th, 1:12, 2:40) and Ashlyn Dehning (44^th, 1:12, 2:54). Gordon Rushville had a difficult District last year with Hemingford, Mullen and Wallace advancing to State, but Cournoyer definitely improves their chances of a team berth for State. We have a new Nerd based in Gordon this year so we’re excited to put eyes on this team.

Crofton could return as many as four competitors from last year’s State squad, and they add a phenomenal freshman. Avery Arens ran the 2^nd fastest 1600 time among Nebraska 8^th graders last spring, a 5:04. She also finished 4^th at the Junior High State XC meet. Her older sister Jordyn was a three-time Class D XC champ. Also returning are sophomore Cecilia Wortmann (DNF at State XC, 2:33, 5:31, senior Sophia Wortmann (41^st, 2:40, 5:53, 12:33), sophomore Hudsyn Stout (43^rd, sprints) and senior Emily Guenther (86^th, sprints). Assuming the top three girls remain healthy, they are title contenders.

Dakota Horstman of Hemingford has finished in the top 5 in 25 of her 31 high school meets. Two of the non-top 5 finishes included 9^th and 7^th places at the State XC meet as a freshman and sophomore. She had a rare off day last year, finishing 61^st, and that prevented Hemingford from defending their back-to-back titles. Hemingford returns as many as four of their 2024 competitors: Ainslee Woltman (32^nd in 2024, 6:04, 12:29), Dakota (2:34, 5:33 and 12:58), Teagen Thompson (64^th, 2:41, 6:08) and Desilee Hinman (75^th, 2:48).

Homer had five juniors on last year’s State team that finished 7^th. Medalist Lilly Harris (11^th, 5:42, 11:59) leads this experienced team of Jaedyn Bousquet (33^rd, 5:49, 12:32), Tawny Bolles (56^th, 6:08, 13:22), Lilyanna Dzuirawiec (87^th, 2:49, 6:41 in limited racing) and Okie Bolles (91^st, 2:50, 6:30). Harris improved her 3200 PR by 29 seconds this spring and could be poised for another strong fall.

Other athletes to watch:

Angela Frick (North Central) and Delanie Runnels (Niobrara)

· From what we can tell, Delanie Runnels of Niobrara/Verdigre has had one bad race in two years of cross country, and it happened to be last year’s State XC meet. After finishing 6^th as a freshman, she fell to 61^st as a sophomore. Our records for her are more complete that her athletic.net profile, and we believe she is undefeated in high school cross country except for her two State meets. Look for her to come back strong this fall. She finished 3^rd at State in both the 1600 (5:19) and 3200 (11:43), and athletic.net reflects a 5:03 earlier in the season.

· Angela Frick of North Central seems like she’s been around forever, and she has the State medals to show for it. She’s finished 6^th, 9^th and 3^rd in her first three seasons, and she earned her first two State T&F medals this spring with PRs of 5:33 (5^th, Class D) and 12:06 (7^th). Both marks are huge improvements over her sophomore track bests, so she has serious momentum heading into cross country.

Mazzy Kuchar (Elkhorn Valley) and Madison Shaw (Sandy Creek)

· Mazzy Kuchar of Elkhorn Valley (6^th, 5:53, 12:00), Ava Brennan of Ponca (7^th, 2:23, 5:22, 12:10) and Lily Daly of Hastings St. Cecilia (10^th, 2:33, 5:53, 12:31) finished 6^th, 7^th and 10^th last fall. Elkhorn Valley also qualified as a team, finishing 13^th, while Ponca and Hastings St. Cecilia finished in the dreaded fourth spot at their Districts. Ponca returns its three District competitors and should be in good position to grab a third spot behind Crofton and Homer (assuming no changes to team assignments). Hastings St. Cecilia, which also returns Emery Vargas (18^th, 2:30, 5:55, 12:30), will still have a difficult path to State if District assignments are unchanged; St. Cecilia’s finished behind McCool Junction, Sandy Creek and Nebraska Christian at Districts in 2024.

· Kiley Orton of Ainsworth grabbed the 15^th and final medal in 2024; she ran 5:49 and 12:41 in the spring. Ainsworth finished 9^th last year and also returns Payton Moody (113^th, 6:10). The team should get a huge boost with the addition of freshman Regan Moody, who finished 16^th at the Junior High State XC meet before running 2:26 and 5:30 in the spring.

· Riley Campbell of David City Aquinas played softball her first two years of high school but will be running cross country this fall. She immediately becomes a medal threat with her spring results of 1:00.81, 2:21 (7^th Class C) and 5:21 (5^th Class C).

· Two girls who didn’t qualify last fall may have better luck this year after strong track results. Kaylee Kerr, a sophomore at Silver Lake, ran 5:33 (6^th in Class D) and 12:26 in the spring while Zoe Johnson, a Nerd superfan and junior at Brady, appears to be healthy again based on her 12:33 3200 at the State meet.

· Sevyn Russell of Doniphan-Trumbull finished 30^th last fall as a freshman before focusing on middle distance events during track season. We’re not sure how her 1:00.7 400 and 2:26 800 speed will translate to 5000 meters this fall but we’re excited to find out.

· Strong junior high runners don’t always go out for cross country, but we’ve found a few who would make a quick impact if they do. Carly Softley of Maywood-Hayes Center finished 4^th in the Junior High State XC open race, and she ran 2:34 and 5:32 in the spring. In addition, she’s the granddaughter of T&F official extraordinaire Don Softley, so that should also count for something. Kinley Ford of Alma ran 2:23 and 5:34 in the spring while Lydia McGovern of Cambridge ran 2:36 and 5:42.

Team predictions

The Class D coaches will issue five or six polls during the season. As is our custom, we only issue one team ranking, and that is our pre-season prediction.

1. McCool Junction

2. Crofton

3. Tri County

4. Hemingford

5. Nebraska Christian

6. Gordon Rushville

Individual rankings

We’ll post our preseason rankings on the Rankings tab at www.preprunningnerd.com, and we’ll update them almost every week during the season.

Errors and omissions

Our season previews are based on prior results and an assumption that underclassmen competing at State in 2024 will run again this year. If you’re aware of an error in the article above, or have information on an impactful runner not listed above, please email jayslagle@hotmail.com so we can determine whether the article should be updated. Our goal as volunteers is to be a resource for fans of Nebraska high school country, but we readily acknowledge that we need feedback from followers and coaches to provide accurate information.

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Originally written and published in August 2025 at www.preprunningnerd.com.

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Finally, if you think runners, jumpers and throwers are the best things on earth, you'll enjoy our two most popular articles. In 2018 we published "The Runner with the Broken Heart" about a high school boy who finished last in nearly every race he ran. In 2022 we published, "The Fall and Rise of Emmett " a story about a high school triple jumper who became a quadrapalegic after a swimming accident.