By Rich Winter

Had to take a peek at the Ipswich results from earlier in the week. Couple people/teams competing up there that I wanted to see how they did. 

Was a little bit surprised but very happy to see Stanley County senior, Shay VanDenHemel winning the race and dipping down to get a seasons best of 16:47 to win the event. Nice day for Beau DuBray from Timber Lake, who also dipped under 17-flat with a 16:51

Good stuff for VanDenHemel who finished 25th at the Class A state cross-country meet a year ago. I can't remember if Shay placed in the 2-mile his sophomore year but he was dipping down to 10-flat during the season and I thought he'd be huge in track last year.

I've never heard what, or if there was a problem, but VanDenHemel seemed to be laboring a lot last year and never really regained his form although he made it to state in a couple of months.

Young man looks healthy and like he's starting to round into pretty good shape. Teammage Cale Meiners was 5th at Ipswich, so these guys have each other to train off.

Very excited to get a look at VanDenHemel as he attackes the Chamberlain course on Thursday....Lotta talent there, but VDH should be right there with the big boys...