DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
DECATUR – One of the favorite races of the year for local coaches and runners faced another stiff challenge from the weather Wednesday night at Bellmont High School and after a round of heavy storms wiped out the boys’ race, it was the Leo Lions who had the most to celebrate, taking the top four spots in the girls’ race and first place as a team.
The meet has been a lightning rod (pun intended) for poor weather ever since the COVID season, mostly because of extreme heat. The meet has been canceled once and shortened to 3K several times, but in 2026 it was set to be the full four kilometers – that is until lightning came in the middle of the boys’ race and sent everyone home.
The exceptional Rowyn Norris of Leo won the girls’ race in 15:18. Finishing in the Top 50 of last year’s State Finals, Norris won by over a minute over her three teammates, who finished 2-3-4.
Adams Central’s Adi Rumschlag led the Jets with her sixth-place finish. The team finished just behind Bellmont in fourth.
Emily High and Caelyn Voglewede were across the line next with good efforts for the Heritage Patriots and Bristol Scherry was the first Bellmont Brave to finish and the last to make it under the 18-minute mark.
Note: Since the race was only 4K, the times do not count for season and career bests.
Team Scores: 1st-Leo 24; 2nd-Heritage 59; 3rd-Bellmont 64; 4th-Adams Central 73; 5th-North Side 150
Top Ten Finishers
1st-Rowyn Norris-Leo 15:18.9
2nd-Audri Bultemeier-Leo 16:27.9
3rd-Lia Bultemeier-Leo 16:32.6
4th-Bella Wenninger-Leo 16:48.1
5th-Samantha Spoltman-Luers 17:26.8
6th-Adi Rumschlag-AC 17:29.0
7th-Emily High-Heritage 17:51.8
8th-Caelin Voglewede-Heritage 17:54.9
9th-Bristol Scherry-Bellmont 17:55.0
10th-Hailey Brune-AC 18:14.0
Heritage Places & Times
6th-Emily High 17:51.8, 7th-Caelin Voglewede 17:54.9; 13th-Ava Gerber 18:50.7; 16th-Elise Hissong 19:21.0; 17th-Lily Hoting 19:22.5; 18th-Kendra Rothgeb 19:27.2; 25th-Addison Smith 19:27.2; Dakota Brames 20:46.6; Cortney Moake 20:48.8; Audrey Meyer 21:26.5; Quinn Hissong 21:41.5; Rebecca McDaniel 22:03.5; Adi Bacon 23:07.8; Madison High 24:03.5
Bellmont Places & Times
8th-Bristol Scherry 17:55.0; 10th-Bridget Juengel 18:32.7; 11th-Sydney Angel 18:45.1; 15th-Lilly Franz 19:14.4; 20th-Madeline Witte 19:43.3; 21st-Elle Garcia 19:43.8; 22nd-Haylee Franz 19:45.6; Isabelle Buuck 20:23.0; Isabella Suarez 21:17.5; Addyson Fennig 21:17.7; Makenna Rich 24:16.8; Savannah Lindsey 24:50.9; Tori McCullough 25:17.7; Journy Mann 29:53.8
Adams Central Places & Times
5th-Adi Rumschlag 17:29.0; 9th-Hailey Brune 18:14.0; 12th-Haley Jauregui 18:46.5; 23rd-Nola Ortiz 20:13.7; 24th-Lexi Linder 20:18.0; 27th-Ava Powell 20:54.8
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