Noecker picks up where he left off

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The transition to college can be difficult for many students.

That doesn’t appear to be the case for Cedar Catholic graduate and South Dakota State University freshman Carson Noecker.

Noecker, who runs cross country for the Division I Jackrabbits, won the first collegiate cross country meet he ever entered.

He did the same thing five years ago when he entered his first-ever high school meet at the Hartington Community Complex. In fact, in his four years of high school competition, the four-time state champion only finished out of first place once.

Last Friday in Sioux Falls, S.D., Noecker dominated the competition to win the 12th Augustana Twilight, a four-mile race at Yankton Trail Park.

Every SDSU competitor clocked a personal best en route to a first-place finish in the team standings at the meet.

Noecker’s successful Jackrabbit debut happened in a quick time of 18:55.99, during which he finished a full 10 seconds in front of the second-place runner. Josh Becker was close behind in fourth place with a personalbest 19:14.90 as Will Lohr clocked a personal record of 19:51.52 for 14th.

South Dakota State claimed the team title out of 32 squads with 62 total points, edging St. Thomas’ 66 points in second place. Nebraska finished third with 83 points; host Augustana took fourth with 94 points.