Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
–Rockets run with 2,000 others at Border Battle in Grand Forks
Gabe Smith (center) was one of 2,007 runners to compete at the Grand Forks' Border Battle on Sept. 30.
Gabe Smith rings the PR (personal record) bell after running his personal-best time of 12:02 in the 7th-grade boys' race.
Seth Greiner crosses the finish line after taking 108th place in the 7th-grade boys' race with a time of 14:56.
NR-S cross country head coach Joe Greiner was one of five adults who competed in the Old Timers' exhibition event during the Border Battle in Grand Forks.
On Saturday, Sept. 30, the NR-S Cross Country team were among more than 2,000 runners competing at the Grand Forks' Border Battle.
This year was only the second-ever "Border Battle" at Grand Forks, but it's quickly becoming the most attended cross country event in the region.
Attendance already stood at an impressive 1,288 in their inaugural event, but this year the attendance ballooned to 2,007, and the Rockets had a blast competing against runners from North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.
In the 7th grade boys' race, Gabe Smith earned an impressive 24th-place finish with a personal-best time of 12 minutes and 2 seconds (12:02). Also in the race was Seth Greiner, who crossed the line in 108th place with a time of 14:56.
A whole host of Rockets took on the elementary race, including Elise Guler, Augie Meier, Makaya Heskin, Rylen Heskin, Amelia Smith, Teddy Smith, Liza Steele, Leah Steele, Lucy Steele and Libby Steele.
Competing in the junior varsity boys' race was Vinnie Ruppell, who crossed the line in 246th place having completed the 5K with a time of 22:56.
Last but certainly not least, Travis Steele, Joe Greiner, Lyndsey Smith, Amy Steele and Erin Greiner represented the Rockets in the Old Timer's event.
Their times were not provided, but it's likely they all finished in the top 5!
Prior to the Border Battle, the Rockets also competed in a cross country meet at Cavalier on Sept. 21.
Makaya Heskin was the only Rocket to compete in the girls' race, and finished in 13th place with a time of 24:50.
Four boys competed in the JV race, meanwhile, and all achieved their personal bests at the time.
Gabe Smith finished 5th with a time of 12:37, Vinnie Ruppell finished in 9th with a time of 12:51, Seth Greiner finished in 19th with a time of 14:27 and August Meyer took 21st place with a time of 14:56.
Looking ahead, the Rockets Cross Country team will be wrapping up their season shortly.
Their final regular season meet takes place in Cooperstown on Oct. 12, followed by the regional cross country meet, which will take place on Oct. 21 also in Cooperstown.
