Stone, Zurn pace Panhandle runners at UNK Cross Country Invite

Gering’s Axton Stone and Alliance’s Trevor Zurn earned top-three finishes to highlight Panhandle runners at the UNK Cross Country Invite.

September 29, 2025Updated: September 29, 2025
News Channel NebraskaBy News Channel Nebraska

KEARNEY – Gering’s Axton Stone and Alliance’s Trevor Zurn delivered top-three finishes Monday at the UNK Cross Country Invite, while Chase County, Hemingford, and Perkins County runners also posted strong results at the Kearney Country Club.

In the Class B boys race, Gering senior Axton Stone placed second overall with a time of 16:20.10, just behind winner Lincoln Wolfe of Omaha Skutt. Alliance’s Trevor Zurn finished third in 16:21.49.

In the Class C girls competition, Chase County placed second in the team standings with 74 points, led by sophomore Alayna Smith in 15th place (21:44.56). Teammate Tessa Smith was 21st (22:11.77) as the Longhorns finished behind Columbus Scotus. Chase County's Haven Hauxwell finished in 17:32 to place sixth in the Class C boys race.

Hemingford and Perkins County runners highlighted the Class D girls race. Hemingford sophomore Ainslee Woltman ran 21:47.64 for 15th place, while senior Dakota Horstman crossed in 22:20.26 for 20th. Perkins County’s Isabelle Peters also cracked the top 10, taking eighth in 21:23.71. The Bobcats finished in third and Plainswomen were fourth in the team standings. 

On the boys side in Class D, Hemingford’s Austin Benda led the locals with a fourth-place finish in 17:19.75.

The meet drew hundreds of runners from across Nebraska, serving as a taste of the state course that will be used next month.

RESULTS

GIRLS

5,000 Meters Class A

5,000 Meters Class B

5,000 Meters Class C

5,000 Meters Class D

BOYS

5,000 Meters Class A

5,000 Meters Class B

5,000 Meters Class C

5,000 Meters Class D

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