Bowman County four-peats as NDHSAA Class B Boys Cross Country team champs, Jonah Njos wins individual title

By Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Make it a four-peat for the Bowman County Bulldogs boys cross country team in regards to Class B Boys team state titles.

Bowman County won its fourth consecutive Class B boys cross country team state championship scoring a 37 on Saturday, October 28 during the 2023 NDHSAA Cross Country State Meet held at Jamestown’s Parkhurst Campground/Pipestem Reservoir.

Leading the way for the Bulldogs was sophomore Jonah Njos, who won individual medalist honors racing to a first-place time of 16:11.7.

Njos was ranked No. 6 in the Class B Boys Division of the final North Dakota Cross Country Coaches Poll of the 2023 season entering the state meet.

Runner up honors in the individual race went to Kindred senior Keaton Olson, who finished in a time of 16:17.1.

All five of Bowman County’s scoring runners earned All-State honors finishing in the Top 20. In fact, the Bulldogs had six runners total finish in the top 20. Joining Njos on the podium for all-state honors were: Taylor Wanner (third, 16:30.7), Gavin Lambourn (fifth, 16:49.3), Gabe Sarsland (ninth, 16:57.7), Aidan Thompson (19th, 17:22.9), and Noah Njos (20th 17:26.5).

Kindred finished runner up in the team race with 60 points.

INDIVIDUAL TOP 20 (All-State)

1. Jonah Njos, Bowman County, 16:11.7; 2. Keaton Olson, Kindred, 16:17.1; 3. Taylor Wanner, Bowman County, 16:30.7; 4. Lance Bradley, Standing Rock, 16:48.3; 5. Gavin Lambourn, Bowman County, 16:49.3; 6. Owen Johnson, Northern Cass, 16:51.4; 7. Ben DuBois, New Town, 16:53.9; 8. Xavier Bell, New Town, 16:55.6; 9. Gabe Sarsland, Bowman County, 16:57.7; 10. Elija Deck, Kindred, 16:57.9; 11. Jekori Dahlen, Killdeer, 17:13.1; 12. Christian Brist, Hillsboro/Central, 17:14.0; 13. Lander Lahtinen, New Town, 17:15.0; 14. Cade Westby, Kindred, 17:17.3; 15. Brad Kinzler, Edgeley/Kulm, 17:18.7; 16. Lucas Dahl, Kindred, 17:19.2; 17. Ronnie Burchill, Central Cass, 17:21.7; 18. Tyler Gronwold, Kindred, 17:22.5; 19. Aidan Thompson, Bowman County, 17:22.9; 20. Noah Njos, Bowman County, 17:26.5

TEAM RESULTS (Top 5)

1. Bowman County (37), 2. Kindred (60), 3. New Town (77). 4, Hillsboro/Central Valley (194), 5, Killdeer (334).

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