Manhattan High cross country overcame difficult conditions and put together another strong Saturday at the Rim Rock Classic, with the girls repeating as Gold Division champions and the boys posting their highest finish at the meet since 2013.
The Manhattan girls scored 88 points to win the gold division, finishing ahead of Blue Valley (114) and Denver East (122) on a muddy Rim Rock Farm course.
Senior Gabrielle Converse led the Indians with a third-place finish in 18:45.13. Sophomore Zara Koehn placed eighth in 19:17.51, followed by sophomore Isla Spreer in 27th at 20:14.88, junior Lauren Perry in 28th at 20:15.85 and sophomore Allison Knopp in 37th at 20:30.62 to round out the scoring five.
Junior Andie Strathman finished 42nd in 20:42.92, while senior Scarlett Williams was 67th in 21:16.27.
The Gold Division title was another strong showing for Manhattan at a course that saw the Indians win the gold division last year before returning to Rim Rock and winning the Class 6A state championship.
Manhattan also swept the girls team titles Saturday, winning the B and C races, including taking second through ninth place in the C race.
The boys finished seventh in the gold division with 238 points, marking the program’s highest finish at the meet since 2013.
Sophomore Jaxon Wheeler led Manhattan in 19th place in 16:49.84. Senior Benjamin Huser finished 41st in 17:25.50, freshman Brecken Fabrizius was 53rd in 17:34.01, junior Kyler Grogg placed 67th in 17:45.21 and sophomore Levi Gurgel finished 77th in 17:53.98.
Sophomore Eli Witt was 94th in 18:06.47, while junior Ethan Birkhead finished 105th in 18:15.52.
The Manhattan boys also won the C team title, adding another team championship to a strong day for the Indians.
Up next, Manhattan returns to action Saturday at the Baldwin Invitational. The Indians will return to Rim Rock on Oct. 31 for this year’s Class 6A state meet.