BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

LAKE BARTON — Hoisington Cardinal Kamden Tarlton (18:18.5) set a fast pace and captured his first medalist honors of his high school career to win the boys cross country division at Lake Barton.

Returning state qualifier Tarlton was followed by teammates third-place Lewis, 19:51.3; fourth-place Michael Hipp, 20:40.1; fifth-place Josiah Ball, 20:52 and sixth-place Alex Mater, 22:22.4.

"For the first race, it was a good time, two minutes faster than last year," Tarlton said. "I would've liked to have someone push me harder. It was hot and humid, but the race felt great today. We missed one guy today, but our guys ran great." 

Central Plains returning state qualifier Peyton Ryan (19:31.2) placed runner-up. Oiler Cale Thompson won the small school junior varsity race (20:26.1).

"We had a great first meet," said Central Plains coach Keely Hipp. "I'm proud of how each student ran. I 'm excited to see the individual growth of each runner throughout the season."

LAKE BARTON 5K

TOP 10 BOYS—1—Tarlton, Hoisington, 18:18.5; 2—Ryan, CP, 19:31.2; 3—Lewis, H, 19:51.3; 4—Hipp, H, 20:40.1; 5—Ball, H, 20:52..2 6—Mater, H, 22:22.4; 7—Whitten, Russell, 22:53.3; 8—Lampert, R, 26:22.4; 9—Koetkemeyer, R, 27:10.1 

JV BOYS (5K)— 1—Thompson, CP, 20:26.1; 2—Pauly, Nickerson, 21:43.7; 3—Engelland, N, 21:49.3; 4—Ketterl, N, 22:31.4; 5—Jensen, H, 22:40.4; 6—Brinkley, 23:18.7; 7—Siemsen, CP, 24:27.4; 8—Andereck, H, 24:33.2; 9—Giles, N, 24:41.3; 10—Norvell, H, 25:13.3; 11—Rogers, CP, 25:27.3; 12—Tracy, OB, 32:10.6; 13—Frees, CP, 32:36.6