GHV Cross Country looks forward to season

Published by editor on Tue, 09/02/2025 - 12:51pm

L-R: (front) Aidan Steffensmeier, Andrii Kozhukhar, Jonah Pringnitz, Gunner Fry, (back) Aiden Schulze, Jonathan Schuknecht, Grant Lamb, Ryan Englin, Ty Heller, Blake Buitenwerf. Rick Ermer photo

L-R: Kara Knoll, Alissa Clark, Shelby Johnson, Kaelea Blakely and Nichole Larson. Nichole, Kaelea, Shelby Johnson and Kara are returning letter winners. Rick Ermer photo

By:

Rebecca Peter

GARNER - The 2025 country season for Garner-Hayfield-Ventura get underway on Tuesday, Sept 2 at the Newman Catholic Invitational, held at NIACC.

Ryan Hinders is the head coach for both the boys and girls teams. He is assisted by Brooke Hinders.

Cardinal Boys

In 2024 the GHV boys cross country team placed 3^rdduring the State qualifying meet. The team finished 6^that the Class 2A State meet at Fort Dodge.

“We have a solid core of runners back from our 6^thplace state finish last season. We will work together each day toward meeting our goals at the end of the season,” said coach Hinders

Returning athletes to the team in 2025 are seniors Blake Buitenwerf, Ty Heller and Jonah Pringnitz, junior Ryan Englin, and sophomores Aiden Schulze and Jonathan Schuknecht.

Schuknecht and Pringnitz were named to the 1^stTeam All-Conference in 2024. In addition, Jonah Pringnitz was named and All District Runner and to the 2^ndTeam All State. Ty Heller was named to the 2^ndTeam All Conference.

Newcomers to the boys team are juniors Gunner Fry, Andrii Kozhukhar, Grant Lamb, and sophomore Aiden Steffensmeier.

Cardinal Girls

GHV girls cross country finished 4^thin the conference in Conference in 2024 and 4^that the 2024 State Qualifier meet. Sophomore Nichole Larson placed 18^that districts in 2024.

“Nichole Larson will look to keep improving and pushing the pace. She progressed nicely last season and finished 18^that the state qualifier,” Hinders said.

Other returning runners are sophomores Kara Knoll and Shelby Johnson and junior Kaelea Blakely. Senior Alissa Clark is a newcomer to the team.

“We are a small young team,” coach Hinders said. “We will lean on our strengths and work together to accomplish our goals.”

Schedule

The rest of the season schedule for the boys and girls teams is as follows:

•Sept. 9 – RS Belmond-Klemme Cross Country Invitational

•Sept. 18 – Clear Lake Invitational

•Sept. 23 – Riverhawk Cross Country Invite at Mason City

•Sept. 29 – GHV Cross Country Meet

•Oct. 7 – Eagle Grove XC Meet

Oct. 16 – Cross Country at NIACC (Conference)

Oct. 23 – Cross Country State Qualifer (TBA)

Oct. 31 – State Cross Country Meet at Fort Dodge