Bismarck High repeats as team state champs, Century's Wil Ihmels wins individual state title
By Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist
JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Make it back-to-back NDHSAA Class A boys cross country state championships for the Bismarck High Demons.
Bismarck High had all five of its scoring runners earn All-State honors and posted a team score of 23 to win the program’s 20th team state championship on Saturday, October 26 Jamestown’s Parkhurst Campground/Pipestem Reservoir.
In the individual portion of the state meet, Bismarck Century senior Wil Ihmels won medalist honors racing to a first-place time of 15:15.8. Ihmels’ father – Corey Ihmels – was a three-time NDHSAA Class A individual state champion for Williston (1989-91).
Leading the way for the Demons was junior Owen Hintz who finished second individually with a time of 15:22.3.
Fellow Demons joining Hintz for All-State honors were: Dawson Balzer (3rd, 15:51.3), Connor Ensign (4th, 15:56.3), Jakson Ensign (5th, 16:00.1), and Jacob Windsor (9th, 16:21.5).
INDIVIDUAL TOP 20 (All-State)
1. Wil Ihmels, Bismarck Century, 15:15.8; 2. Owen Hintz, Bismarck High, 15:22.3; 3. Dawson Balzer, Bismarck High, 15:51.3; 4. Connor Ensign, Bismarck High, 15:56.3; 5. Jakson Ensign, Bismarck High, 16:00.1; 6. Joe Quinn, Grand Forks Red River, 16:13.7; 7. Owen Cowan, Williston, 16:15.3; 8. Wyatt Adkins, Williston, 16:21.5; 9. Jacob Windsor, Bismarck High, 16:21.5; 10. Charles Hale, Mandan, 16:22.3; 11. Luka Rout, Fargo Davies, 16:25.9; 12. Jack Elsberry, Bismarck Century, 16:26.2; 13. Dallin Chapman, Minot North, 16:26.8; 14. Caleb Swisher, Dickinson, 16:27.9; 15. Ethan Erickson, Fargo Shanley, 16:29.6; 16. Travis Frise, Williston, 16:32.0; 17. Cohen Dunnigan, Grand Forks Red River, 16:34.0; 18. Isaac Amundson, West Fargo High, 16:35.2; 19. Elijah Dafoe, Grand Forks Red River, 16:36.1; 20. Terry Brownotter, Mandan, 16:36.7
TEAM RESULTS (Top 5)
1, Bismarck High, 23. 2, Williston, 98. 3, Bismarck Century, 113. 4, Grand Forks Red River, 117. 5, Mandan 139.
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