Bomber's Season Ends At SQM

Ballard Scores 206 Team Points

October 19, 2023

The Ballard men's cross country team finished 7th in the State Qualifying Meet in Winterset on Wednesday afternoon. The Bombers scored 206 team points. Glenwood won the meet with 39 team points.

The Bombers were paced by seniors Bradley Sage and Jameson Witt. They finish 21st and 32nd overall. Graden Hermann (37th), Braden Kubichek (55th), Alex Weeks (61), Isaac Swisher (68th).

Comments From Head Coach Scott Barth:

"The boys were once again led by team leader Bradley Sage who finished 21st in a time of 17:38. That put him a mere 7 seconds from qualifying for a state meet appearance. Jameson Witt followed with a career PR with his 32nd place finish in a time of 18:16. Graden Hermann surged through the race placing 37th in a time of 18:19. Braden Kubichek was just 2 seconds off of his career PR with a 55th place finish in a time of 19:30. Alex Weeks and Isaac Swisher closed out our competition with 6ast and 68th place finishes in times of 20:14 and 20:30.

Although we did not get the team performance that I had hoped for, we did have some highlights in Jameson Witt and Braden Kubichek who both ran 35 and 45 seconds faster on the Winterset course tonight than they did a few short weeks ago at the same location. Not having Max Davidson finishing the race was a big blow for our team score as he had run so well heading into the meet. Overall, those that did run ran hard and wanted to do well, we just could not get it done on the course tonight.

This ends the season for our boys. We did show growth in many runners over the course of the season and there are signs that we could take a step forward next year. The things the boys need to reflect on is how badly they want to improve and be good. Do they want it badly enough to put in summer miles? Do they want it badly enough to create a consistent culture of team first? Do they want it badly enough to focus on consistency in training? That is the message I will deliver a lot - the talent is starting to build, now we need to take that next step and develop it to our potential."

The Bomber's season has came to an end.

STATE QUALIFYING MEET MEN'S TEAM SCORES

1. Lewis Central, 39

2. Glenwood, 57

3. Winterset, 62

4. North Polk, 108

5. Kuemper Catholic, 117

6. Atlantic, 170

7. Ballard, 206

8. Greene County, 244

9. Clarke, 268

10. Boone, 286