The Garretson Blue Dragons Cross Country team competes in the Big East Conference in this 2018 Gazette photo.
One of Garretson’s most dedicated programs kicked off another season mid-August and are looking to build off their success from last season.
Garretson Cross Country was dominated by youthful talent last year. The girls team was fairly green, but they were hungry for success. The young team, comprised mostly of junior high runners, qualified for the state tournament: Payton Campbell, Makayla Heesch, Jordyn Williams, Kylie Christensen, Adair Hanisch, and Adi Fink (alternate). Olivia Mullin was the lone high schooler to be on the girls’ state qualifying team. Last season was Mullin’s third state cross country appearance.
Heesch found herself seven seconds shy of top 25 honors but is eager to get back to the state meet again this year and make that goal happen.
“Girls were seventh in the state last year [as a team] so their goal is to get on the podium this year,” said Head Coach Jason Bohl. “We would like to improve on our state performance and bring home some hardware.”
That goal has been driving these ladies in the young season as they return five of their six state qualifying runners. There are also some first year runners that are continuing to push the pace and challenge the girls who made it last year.
But before they set their sights on state qualifying, they need to put together solid season performances in preparation. The Garretson girls, however, run with tough competition almost every meet.
“We look for the girls to battle with Flandreau and Beresford for the conference title and we will also be in the thick of things in the region,” stated Coach Bohl.
Last year Preston Bohl was the lone boy to qualify for the state meet. Bohl improved on his performance from his seventh grade year but still fell just short of his goal of top 25 honors, 17 seconds away.
Bohl has been putting in the miles this summer as have many of the returning Blue Dragon harriers hoping to join him at the state tournament for their 2019 campaign.
Back with the Garretson cross country team for another season are letterwinners from last year: juniors Sam Konechne, Evan Debates, Devon Leedy, and freshman Sam Schleuter.
The boys team is a good mix between youth and upperclassmen and they are looking for some runners to step up and really push themselves this year. There are some good athletes out for the program, they just haven’t reached their fullest potential.
Much like the girls team, the Beresford Watchdogs are a favorite for both the conference and the region. But there are spots for the Blue Dragons to showcase their hard work and potential success. “We look for the boys to finish in the top four,” stated Coach Bohl.
Bohl is in his 14th year as the head coach of the Garretson Blue Dragon Harriers, and in his 27th year overall as a cross country coach. Assisting Coach Bohl and the cross country team is Bev Howe.
The first race for Garretson this year is Friday, August 30 at Beresford. The Blue Dragons will host their Jesse James Invitational on September 10.
