Crusaders' Williams continues to improve

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By BRENT C. WAGNER / Lincoln Journal Star

A few years ago, elementary-age students at Lincoln Christian School would run the mile in physical education class.

Logan Williams was at the front of the class nearly every time. So when he got older, it seemed natural to give cross country a try.

Last week, the Lincoln Christian senior won the Aquinas Invitational, giving him his first individual cross country victory and another bright spot in an stellar career.

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Another special moment happened Friday at the Centennial Conference meet at Pioneers Park. Williams finished second, meaning he’d placed in the top 15 at the meet all four years.

The Hastings St. Cecilia boys and Council Bluffs (Iowa) St. Albert girls won team titles. St. Cecilia’s Jim O’Keeffe and St. Albert’s Abby Schlater were individual winners.

At the Aquinas meet, Williams took the lead following the first of three miles and won by 15 seconds.

“I’ve been right there close for a long time, and I just wanted to break through,” Williams said.

He has finished in the top three at every meet he’s competed in this season. After being so close to winning all season, the victory really must have been something.

“I didn’t exactly go crazy, but I had a lot of people cheering for me,” Williams said. “It was a lot of fun.”

If he qualifies for state next week at districts, Williams will compete at state for the fourth time. He’s been in the top 25 all three times, with an eighth-place finish last year being his best. He was also on the Crusaders’ state runner-up team as a freshman.

O’Keeffe finished the boys’ 5,000-meter race in 16 minutes, 55 seconds. Williams was next in 17:18, followed by Mount Michael freshman Thomas Feichtinger. Lincoln Lutheran junior Andrew Malan was seventh.

St. Cecilia’s winning score of 16 points in the boys’ race was noteworthy. Last year’s Class C state runner-up also got high finishes from Nick Hinrichs (fourth), Spencer Zysset (sixth) and Caleb Uerling (eighth).

In the girls’ team race, St. Albert placed its four scoring runners in the top eight to easily defeat runner-up Aquinas.

Aquinas freshman Brooke Anderson finished second, and Lincoln Christian sophomore Renee Williams was third.

Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.