Viking frosh sensation Laura Velderman wins Delton invitational

It was the Hopkins girls’ best day yet this season on the cross-country course.

The Lady Vikings took second place among eight teams in the Delton-Gilmore Invitational Thursday by scoring 67 points, two fewer than third-place Hastings. And freshman sensation Laura Velderman was the individual medalist in 20:42.59.

The boys’ squad finished sixth in a 10-team field with 150 points. Hastings won that side of the meet with 57 points.

Velderman crossed the finish line almost seconds faster than runner-up Mallorie Haaksma of Battle Creek Pennfield, also a freshman. Junior Madison Snoeyink continue her fine running of late by placing 11^th in 22:58.19.

Then came a fine grouping performance of 17^th, 18^th and 19^th by juniors Megan Teft and Taryn Kilbane and senior Samantha Myers. Teft, a three-year varsity performer who missed meets earlier this season, checked in at 23:13.95. Kilbane, another three-year varsity runner, was clocked at 23:22.93 and Myers came in at 23:32.22.

Olivet won the women’s team competition with 43 points.

In the boys’ race, freshman Dan Rausch turned in his best performance yet with an 18:50.42, good for 16^th place. Sophomore Ethan Nagel was right behind him in 18^th at 18:59.67, sophomore James Wubben was 34^th in 20:06.18, senior Michael Heppe 42^nd in 20:37.84 and and senior Nick Surratt 44^th in 20:48.17.

PHOTOS: Laura Velderman was individual medalist in the girls’ race.

Dan Rausch