PARIS, Kentucky — Wynford Elementary cross country coach, Brian Hensel, and his team, joined Pleasant and Bellevue runners to compete this past weekend in the National Youth Cross Country Championship in Paris, Kentucky.
In the 6-to-8-year-old female race, Wynford’s Bristol Westrick placed 24th with a time of 8:22 for 2000 meters. In the girls’ 9-and-10-year-old race, the team placed fourth overall. Wynford’s Aubrey Ritzler led the way with a 15th place finish and a time of 12:33 for 3000 meters.
Following close behind were Bellevue’s 10-year-old Reese Meachman, 18th at 12:39 and Lexie Easterwood 23rd at 12:46. Also running for the team was Pleasant’s Madisyn Ruhe, placing 38th at 13:15, Wynford’s Kaitlyn Messmer placed 54th overall with a 13:45, Emily Stauffer placed 49th overall at 13:37, and Bellevue’s Chole Easterwood placed 63rd with a 13:59.
In the 11-and-12-year-old girls’ race, it was Bellevue’s Kami Koch placing 46th as an 11-year-old with a time of 12:07. Also competing in that race were Wynford’s Brooklyn Stauffer placing 88th at 13:01, and Olivia Hensel placing 113th with a 13:38.
There were only two boys competing at the event, both from Wynford in the 11-and-12-year-old race. Drew Stanek placed 54th overall with a time of 11:41 and Brennen Westrick was 134th with a time of 14:08.
The following athletes received All-American Honors and made the podium
for placing in the top 25 of their age division. Bristol Westrick 14th, Aubrey Ritzler 6th, Reese Meachman 12th, Lexie Easterwood 15th, Madisyn Ruhe 14th, Kaitlyn Messmer 24th, Kami Koch 13th, and Drew Stanek 25th.