The North Butler cross country teams are off to a fast start this season. The boys’ team is about halfway through its season and has competed in three events, finishing second, third and fourth.
The team is led by junior Ezra Almelien, who has a top time of 16:53. He also has a first- and fourth-place finish in the races he has competed in. Juniors Trager Pecha and Brady Henning have combined for three top-10 finishes this season. Head coach Kirk Clark says he is impressed with the team’s overall performance as it heads toward the second half of the season.
“Our top three are really cooking right now, doing very well, said Clark. We have our four or five runner that we’re trying to get there, get as close as we can to them and give us a shot at the end of the season. And things are looking all right. We’re gaining. It’s a process and we’re running out of time, but we’re gonna try our hardest to get there.”
The girls’ team is led by Addison Voelker, who has a top time of 22:13 and a top-10 finish. Faith Eberline and Cora Barnett have also contributed top-10 finishes for the team.
Both teams will compete again Sept. 22 when they host the North Butler Invite, with races scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.
