KEARNEY, Neb. — Kayleigh Betka of McCool Junction won the individual gold in Class D girls cross country and the Mustangs claimed the team title.

Betka, just a freshman, ran a time of 19:35.1 to win by 16 seconds over Sage Holtmeier of Tri County. 

“It feels like a really big accomplishment,” Betka said. “I’m proud of all my teammates who got me here and couldn’t have asked for a better day to do it.”

Betka had just a one-second cushion over Holtmeier after one mile, but gained more separation at the two-mile mark before finishing with a comfortable lead.

Her efforts, along with teammates Leah Dawson and Natalie Clark, helped McCool Junction to the team title. They had 31 points compared to second place Sandy Creek, who finished with 42 points.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better team,” Betka said. “My teammates are so supportive and I love them so much and they mean everything to me.”

This is McCool Junction's first state title since 2020.

1.    31  McCool Junction                         (  20:34.02  1:01:42.06   2:08.94)

   ===================================================

     1      1  Kayleigh Betka  9                   19:35.10

     2      6  Leah Dawson 10                      20:22.92

     3     24  Natalie Clark 10                    21:44.04

 

Place Tea Bib  Name                    Year Team                                 Rank    1m   Rank    2m   Time    Pace     

 ===== === ==== ======================= ==== ==================================== ==== ======= ==== ======= ======= ===== 

     1   1  680 Kayleigh Betka             9 McCool Junction                        11    6:19    4   12:42 19:35.1  6:19 

     2   1  719 Sage Holtmeier             9 Tri County                              6    6:18    5   12:46 19:51.4  6:24 

     3   1  697 Angela Frick              11 North Central                           1    6:08    1   12:40 20:03.0  6:28 

     4   1  726 Ashley Robertson          12 Wallace                                 5    6:14    2   12:41 20:10.8  6:30 

     5   1  710 Madison Shaw               9 Sandy Creek                             7    6:18    8   12:56 20:15.8  6:32 

     6   1  644 Mazzy Kuchar              10 Elkhorn Valley                          9    6:19   11   13:00 20:17.0  6:32 

     7   1  708 Ava Brennan               10 Ponca                                   4    6:13    6   12:51 20:18.4  6:33 

     8   1  700 Corbett Lanum             11 Omaha Brownell Talbot                   3    6:13    9   12:59 20:18.5  6:33 

     9   2  684 Leah Dawson               10 McCool Junction                        12    6:19    7   12:53 20:23.0  6:34 

    10   1  660 Lily Daly                  9 Hastings St. Cecilia                    8    6:18   10   13:00 20:27.1  6:35