Poplar Wins Titles At Home Meet
The Poplar Indians ran to first place team honors in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions at their home invitational cross country meet held on Friday, Sept. 4.
Poplar’s boys earned the top three individual places and won the team title with 28 points. Glasgow placed second with 53 points while Wolf Point took third with 58 points.
Jaycee Hilkemann was the individual champion by posting at time of 16:37.2.
Hilkemann, who is a transfer student from Lustre Christian, said this is his first year competing in cross country at the high school level. He ran in the sport as a junior high student.
“I like it. I’m enjoying it,” Hilkemann said.
Hilkemann finished third in the 3200-meter run and fourth in the 1600 at last spring’s Class C state track meet.
“I love track, so I’m looking forward to this season,” the senior said.
So far, he has enjoyed attending school in Poplar. “Poplar is a good environment,” he added.
Poplar’s Jayden Eder placed second at 18:12.2 and teammate Isaac Irizarry took third at 18:32.4.
Mickey Failing also earned a spot in the top 10 with a time of 19:51.8 for 10th place.
Also placing for Poplar’s boys were Dustin Smith in 15th at 20:45.1, Quinton Eder in 21st at 21:18.8 and Isaiah Irrizary in 37th at 24:43.6, In the girls’ division, the Indians claimed top honors with a team score of 20 points. Glasgow was second with 47 points.
Leading Poplar’s girls were four athletes in the top 10. Mila Gramling finished fifth at 23:33.8, Kellyn Azure was sixth at 24:00.9, Amelia Weeks took seventh at 24:12.6 and Harley Daniels placed ninth at 24:55.8.
Poplar’s Audrey Wallers finished in 11th place with a time of 25:26.1. Liberty Boadle took 28th at 28:44.4. Kelbee Redstone placed 31st at 29:09.6.
