The Stanley-Boyd cross country team came away from the Loyal Cross Country Invitational with plenty of hardware. the high school boys and girls team each placed first while the Orioles’ two middle school squads each finished second among eight teams.
Stanley-Boyd collected eight high school medals and eight middle school medals during the meet.
The varsity boys were led by a one-two finish from Cameron Natzke and Hunter Ogle in the 5,000-meter race. Natzke crossed the finish line first in 19 minutes, 31 seconds, while Ogle was close behind, taking second in 19:42.
“Cameron Natzke won the boys cross country race at Loyal,” Coach Nick Mahr said. “His closest competitor was his teammate Hunter Ogle. The boys covered the 5k course in 19:31 and 19:42 respectively. “Cameron’s time would have been even better if it wasn’t so hot and humid. For an early season race in this weather it was a great performance”
The pair gave Stanley-Boyd the top two individual positions in the race. Colby’s Jocob Raatz placed third in 20:26, followed by Columbus Catholic’s Nathan Schneider in fourth at 20:34 and McDonell Central’s Johnny Bullard in fifth at 20:38.
The Stanley-Boyd girls also received several strong performances on their way to the team championship.
Sophomore Vaida Chwala led the Orioles with a second-place finish in the girls 5,000-meter race, completing the course in 22:31. Owen-Withee freshman Evelyn Goessl won the individual title in 22:12.
Stanley-Boyd freshman Aaliyah Prissel added a fifth-place finish in 23:13, while junior Mariah Wehling placed eighth at 23:37. Senior Lucy Wundrow rounded out Stanley-Boyd’s four runners shown among the top 10, finishing 10th in 24:16.
Orioles varsity cross country head coach Nick Mahr shared more after results.
“The Orioles walked away with a lot of hardware after winning both the boys and girls team competitions at the Loyal Cross Country Invitational last week,” he said. “In addition to winning the two high school races both middle school teams took second out of eight teams. The team took home a total of eight high school medals and eight middle school medals. 
“It’s always fun to win. We know we are a good team, we have a lot of upside. A lot of kids put in miles of the summer and are working hard. If we stay healthy and improving we will do really well this season.” Coach Nick Mahr said of the meet.”
The Orioles now host their home meet on Thursday Sept 10. Races start at 4:30 on the school grounds near the playground.