Cyclone girls challenge Denison at Monarch Relays

 DENISON -- A gold-medal rally in the 4x400 relay wasn’t enough to net the Harlan Community girls a team title Tuesday night, but it did provide a solid finishing touch to an encouraging performance at the Monarch Co-Ed Relays.
 Competing in chilly, but dry, conditions on Denison’s brand new track, the Cyclone girls led the six-team field by winning nine events and finished just seven points behind Denison-Schleswig (140 to 133) in the final team standings. Lewis Central placed third with 92 points.
 The HCHS boys, meanwhile, placed fourth with 57 points, trailing first-place Lewis Central (153), Atlantic (104) and St. Albert (78).
 Tuesday marked Harlan’s second outdoor meet but the first in which team points were tabulated and medals awarded.
 Cyclone girls’ coach Doug Renkly liked the competitive spirit of the team, capped by a comeback win in the 4x400. Sophomore Savannah Parman anchored the race, taking the baton in second place before passing a Lewis Central runner for the gold. Molly Gubbels, Kara Rueschenberg and Lexi Larsen teamed with Parman for a winning time of 4:24.79.
 The HCHS girls also won the distance medley and 4x200 relays as well as six individual events. They were unable to field a shuttle hurdle relay or the gap between first and second would have narrowed even more.