For once, Hailey O'Daniel didn't have to run alone Thursday during the Class C District 2 cross-country meet.
Columbus Scotus freshman Avery Heinrich kept pace with the dominant Arlington Eagle for a fair amount of the windy 5-kilometer race at Omaha Concordia. That is, before the three-time state medalist pulled away, earning her fourth-straight NSAA State Championships qualification. The Class C races are Friday in Kearney.
“It was so helpful just having someone there to keep me mentally strong and keep me into the race,” O'Daniel said. “It was so helpful for me and credit to her, she did amazing.”
The AHS standout bested Heinrich by nearly 14 seconds, 20:02.5 to 20:16.1, matching the performance of Eagles teammate Kolby Tighe, who won the boys race in 17:35.33. Tighe's effort led coach Michaela Curran's boys lineup to a team qualification in second overall.
O'Daniel — like during Thursday's race — will have company in Kearney, too. Arlington ninth-grader Corinne May took seventh in 22:09.9, qualifying alongside her senior teammate.
O'Daniel ran with two-time state champion Keelianne Green and others during her first two state meets, but had to go it alone last year — a circumstance the senior is happy to avoid this time around.
“Just having company down there is really nice. Calms the nerves before a big state meet,” she said. “I'm sure she thinks the same way.”
The Eagles' boys team will have the opportunity to lean on each other for support at Kearney Country Club, too. Behind Tighe in first, John Morrison secured fifth in 18:12.04, while Ashton Vollmer stopped the clock in 18:27.43 for seventh.
“The goal is always to qualify, but it was just exciting,” Coach Curran said. “They all put it together at the right time.
Ethan Hilgenkamp added a 22nd-place effort in 19:37.25, while Gus Burns was 25th in 19:48.74. They and Brayden Fuchs, who took 30th in 20:16.05, helped Arlington finish just six places out first at Concordia, and will next take on the state course together.
“That's always the hope — they peak at the right moment — and they did,” Curran said. “It was just exciting to see so many of them have the best race of their careers.”
In his senior season, Tighe has continually put together standout performances. He has one more race left and his coach is looking forward to it.
“I'm stoked,” she said. “Just thinking about it, I'm getting goosebumps thinking about watching him compete. Cheering him on one more time.”
Friday's Class C boys race is at 3 p.m. before the girls' at 4 p.m. AHS will have top, district-champion contenders in both 5Ks.
CLASS C DISTRICT 2 XC MEET
Thursday at Omaha Concordia
BOYS
Team standings: Fort Calhoun 29, Arlington 35, Omaha Concordia 53, Wahoo 56, Yutan 132, Douglas County West 145, David City 149, North Bend Central 151, Omaha Roncalli 185, Columbus Scotus 192, Wahoo Neumann 196.
5K race winner: Kolby Tighe, Arlington, 17:35.33.
Arlington results: 1, Tighe, 17:35.33. 5, John Morrison, 18:12.04. 7, Ashton Vollmer, 18:27.43. 22, Ethan Hilgenkamp, 19:37. 25, Gus Burns, 19:48.74. 30, Brayden Fuchs, 20:16.05.
GIRLS
Team standings: Columbus Scotus 29, Omaha Concordia 53, Wahoo 54, Arlington 67, Fort Calhoun 69, Omaha Roncalli 117, Douglas County West 125, Yutan 132, North Bend 148, Neumann 152, David City 167, Boys Town 188.
5K race winner: Hailey O'Daniel, Arlington, 20:02.5.
Arlington results: 1, O'Daniel, 20:02.5. 7, Corinne May, 22:09.9. 19, Kelise Krivohlavek, 23:21.68. 40, Sofie Lewis, 25:15.73. 41, Izzabella Credeur, 25:17.18. DNF, Whitney Wollberg.
