Rim Rock gets Rocked by OCXC

The Osage City Cross Country Team Performed Above Expectations at the Rim Rock Invitational

Article by Jake Butterfield

Each fall, schools and coaches from all over the midwest send their top athletes to Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas to run the most difficult course that many of them will ever run in their lives.  But what is it that makes this course so tough? Could it be the pressure of running against the top runners in the region? Or maybe the fact that the course is the home of the University of Kansas Jayhawk cross country team?  Perhaps it is the continuous hills that line the path of one of the season’s toughest meets?   This fall the Osage City High School Cross Country team was fortunate enough to send five boys and five girls to run in the prestigious Rim Rock Invitational held Saturday, September 27.

When asked what makes Rim Rock the most dreaded course of the year, senior Sarah Peterson commented, “Hills, hills, and more hills!” Sarah also noted about the meet, “The competition is tough and you really have to push yourself to show everyone what you’ve got.”

Senior Tori Tomlinson, a first-year runner, was surprised at how difficult the course actually was.  “I was expecting maybe one or two big hills, but no! There were four or five mountains that we had to climb!”

Sophomore Matt Burkert was also surprised by the course.  “The hills killed me.  Without them the course is easy.” remarked Burkert.

Despite the elite competition and mountainous hills, the Indians planned to do well at the meet and they did nothing less than that on the “course of all courses.”  In the girls Blue Varsity race, senior Aundrea Koger finished ninth out of 282 runners with a time of 16:11.  Seniors Sarah Peterson and Maren Peterson also finished well with times of 18:26 and 19:46, respectively. Freshman Jessica Davis and Tomlinson capped off the Lady Indians’ team, both finishing under 24 minutes.

The boys also met the high expectations set by Coach Bellinger.  Senior Brennan Lawless led the Indians, finishing with a time of 19:50, followed by Burlingame runners Clay Thomas and Jake Thompson.  Freshman Rider Nettleton also ran well, finishing in 22:33.  Sophomore Matt Burkett rounded off the Indian pack running just under 24 minutes.

Not only did the cross country team run well, but they also realize how much of an honor it is to compete on such an elite level.  “I feel honored that I got the chance to run at Rim Rock. Though most of us dread the course, it’s a great challenge and makes you feel accomplished after you finish,” said senior Maren Peterson.  However, for Peterson and her fellow runners this won’t be the last time they will have to face this dreaded course.  The Indians plan to make a return appearance at Rim Rock later this fall at the state meet.

The Rim Rock Invitational is a great opportunity for the team to prepare for the state meet and set themselves up for yet another successful season finale.  With the experience of the Rim Rock Classic under their belts, the state meet will be nothing unusual and the team will be sure to excel more than ever.