Cross country is a lonely sport. For miles, runners fight against their mind, legs, and lungs. This year, both the girls’ and boys’ teams discovered that no one runs alone. Their close bond carried them through every mile and straight to the 2025 NSAA State Cross Country Championship.
“I wouldn’t want to represent another school,” senior Derek Rieck-Capellan said. “We have one of the best communities as a team by far.”
Being such a tight-knit group is a given for the runners at Elkhorn North, and those friendships help carry runners through the challenges that races can bring.
“Our varsity group is out cheering on JV, JV’s cheering on varsity right away,” head coach Jordan Fuglestad said. “You just don’t always see that.”
Each runner gave their all this season, whether that be during races or workouts, in order to achieve their goals at State.
The girls’ team consisted of runners Leah Robinson (11), Jenna Polking (12), Paityn Christoffels (12), Riley Keisling (9), Michelle Kriz (9), Raisa Halweg (12), and alternates Morgan Bitcon (12) and Adelyn Snow (9). The boys’ team included Derek Rieck-Capellan (12), Kaden Sprowls (12), Jonah Santos (12), Charlie McCune (10), Sean Cook (10), Jude Martz (10), and alternate Luke Jefferson (11).
Both groups made history at state this year with the girls’ team earning their second State Championship Title and the boys’ team making their highest scoring state appearance.
Senior Jenna Polking and junior Leah Robinson were named two of the Nebraska Coaches Association’s 2025 Girls Cross Country Super-State runners which includes the top 20 runners of all classes at State. Senior Derek Rieck-Capellan was also named one of the 2025 Boys Cross Country Super-State runners and shattered his own school record with a time of 16:01.25.
“I did not think I was going to PR, and that was just a great race for me,” Rieck-Capellan said. “I’m very happy with this season.”
The 2025 Wolves Cross Country season was filled with ups and downs, PRs and injuries, good runs and bad runs. But the relationships built along the way helped the team stand tall and achieve their goals this season.
“As a whole team, this was the most successful season we’ve ever had,” Fuglestad said.
Check out photos from the state meet below:
