Hastings runner wins Harold Scott Invite and has a hot take about Class B cross country
High school cross country runner Austin Carrera sounded like a NASCAR driver would in a post-race TV interview, both in his deep analysis of race strategy and a little bravado.
He had backed it up on Thursday by winning the Harold Scott Invite hosted by Lincoln High at Pioneers Park.
Carrera won the 3.1-mile race by 12 seconds in 16 minutes, 3 seconds.
David Krier from Lincoln Pius X finished second in 16:15. Grand Island's Kaden Boltz was third, Joseph Majerus of Pius X was fourth and Caleb Ruch of Lincoln East was fifth.
As a runner from a Class B school, Carrera was proud to win at the 22-team meet that included many Class A schools.
"I knew there was so much competition," Carrera said. "I knew I was going to see David Krier and Kaden Boltz. If you beat those guys you're going to solidify your fitness."
Krier has had one of the best seasons in the state so far. Krier took the early lead Thursday, and then he and Carrera raced each other hard during the middle section of the race.
Carrera thought hard about his strategy and made his move late in the race.
"I was like, 'Trust the training; and he's hurting way more than I am. And I'm hurting pretty bad,'" Carrera said. "If he went with me, I'm going to tip my hat to him. But he didn't end up going with me. I went around the corner, and I saw him clear back there."
Carrera also won the Aurora Invite this season. He won several meets last year and then finished fourth at the Class B state meet.
"Basically, I won every meet that (Norris') Riley Boonstra wasn't at," Carrera said. "He's gone now, and I'm going to start winning now."
There could be some outstanding races in Class B this season, both at the Nebraska-Kearney Invite later this month and the state meet.
Three of the top 4 finishers from the Class B state meet last year are back – Braden Lofquest (Gretna East), Thomas Rice (Omaha Skutt) and Carrera. And now Krier is in Class B, after finishing ninth in Class A last year.
"Class B is better than Class A. That's my hot take," Carrera said. "The only person Class A has is (Fremont's) Juan Gonzalez. Class B would go 2-3-4 in Class A. It's easier to get second in Class A right now then it is in Class B."
Pius X was the boys team champion by putting each of its five runners for the team score in the top 20 - Krier, Majerus, George Ivanov, Damien Johnson and Noah Zach.
The Thunderbolts are 3 for 3 in winning team titles this season.
"We're super excited about these guys," coach Bill Rice said. "They're invested in having a good season. They love cross country."
Lincoln East finished second and Millard West was third.
In the girls race, Abigail Burger won by 9 seconds in 19:09. Leah Robinson of Elkhorn North was second and Kate Ebmeier of Millard West was third.
The top Lincoln finisher was Sadie Yager of Lincoln East in 14th.
Millard West won the team title with 34 points. Elkhorn North was second with 47 points, Kearney was third and Lincoln East was fourth.
Reach Brent C. Wagner at or 402-473-7435.
Husker volleyball/women's basketball reporter
