Roughriders showcase depth at Mandan Kiwanis Invitational
Roughriders cross country team tested themselves against some of the state’s best competition Aug. 29 when they traveled to the Mandan Kiwanis Invitational. With hundreds of runners and dozens of schools taking part, the meet was one of the largest early-season gatherings in North Dakota, offering Southern McLean athletes the chance to gauge their progress against deep and talented fields.
The varsity boys’ 5,000-meter race drew 115 total runners, and three Roughriders secured top-50 finishes.
Daniel Neumiller paced the group with a strong time of 17:55.81, good for 33rd overall. He was followed by Easton Kugler in 41st at 18:20.88, while Beckett Kadrmas finished 48th with a time of 18:37.44. Their performances highlighted consistency and promise for a team that continues to grow into the season.
Southern McLean also had three athletes in the junior varsity boys’ division, which featured 100 runners.
Brayden Sharp clocked in at 23:46.01 for 75th place, just ahead of Kale Nelson in 78th at 24:22.54. Close behind was Julius Schaan, who finished 80th in 24:29.27. The trio gained valuable racing experience in a competitive setting, working on pacing and race strategy.
On the girls’ side, two Roughriders competed in the varsity 5,000-meter race. Ciarra Steinert crossed the line in 69th place with a time of 24:03.59, while Erin Conoly placed 76th in 25:27.65. Both runners showed determination in a field of 84, putting in solid early-season times.
The Roughriders’ largest contingent came in the junior varsity girls’ 4,000-meter race, where six athletes represented the team in a field of 90.