Ravenna Bluejay Cross Country

10/16/2026

Normally, we publish our team poster at the beginning of the season. This year, we decided to wait. You already know the names and faces but not always the stories. One of our programs largest teams ever.

Every runner who stepped onto this team this season came with a different reason for being here. Different goals. Different expectations. Different starting lines. Some reached the places they hoped to go. Some fell short. Some surprised themselves. Some are still figuring out exactly what they were capable of. But in the end, there’s always more to the story.

What mattered was that they showed up. They worked. They struggled. They encouraged. They learned what it means to be part of something bigger, while it may be cliche, because that’s what we hope this team has always been about: a place where you belong.

You don’t have to be the fastest. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to show up and try.

So while our season is done, our runners will continue to carry on the work, the friendships, the disappointments, the victories, and the belief that you are capable of taking one more step when things get hard. We can all do hard things.

10/16/2026

✅ DISTRICT INVITE at Cambridge ✅

It was great to return to Cambridge, a longtime favorite district host for Ravenna XC, after spending the past couple of seasons at McCool Junction in arguably the toughest district in the state. Despite the welcome change and a strong effort from our runners, we did not come away with any state qualifier. W knew it would be a long shot, but certainly not no shot. While that wasn’t the finish we had hoped for, we’re proud of this team and excited to see what next season brings!

🏁 RESULTS 🏁
GIRLS VARSITY (23 schools / 67 runners)
- Kloee Sundermeier - 24:22 - 30th *PR*
- Maleah Rager - 25:10 - 36th
- Morgan Schuller - 26:18 - 45th *PR*
- Aubree Hervert - 26:29 - 47th
- Brinley Palser - 28:55- 59th
Team Score : 11th place

BOYS VARSITY (23 schools / 71 runners)
- Brendan Lockhorn - 19:46 - 25th
- Kason Palser - 21:01 - 42nd
- Cameron Fisher - 21:06 - 43rd *PR*
- Riley Behrendt - 21:57 - 52nd
- Reid Braddy - DNS
Team Score : 10th place

Don’t forget to invite your Cross Country and Ravenna Bluejay family and friends to like and follow our page! GO JAYS!

Send a message to learn more

10/14/2026

✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT (4 of 4) ✨

🔹 Kloee Sundermeier AKA “Nerd Assassin”🔹

▪️Stats / Honors ▪️
* 3 Year Varsity Runner
* 1x Letter Winner (2026)
* 3x Medalist
* PR: 24:30 (Conference at Ord 2026)

1) What has been the highlight of your senior season?
** The highlight of my Senior season has been all of the amazing people that I get to spend my time with. I am so grateful for everyone who cheers me on during races and helps motivate me to do my best.

2) What is your favorite course that you've ran (excluding State) over your XC career? Any reason why?
** My favorite course is probably Franklin because it is so flat, although it is two laps I feel like it goes by pretty fast.

3) What was your least favorite practice, knowing that when you came that day, it was going to be a long day?
** I absolutely hated doing the tee box run at the golf course. Although running up every hill a million times makes it a little easier when we have the home meet.

4) What makes running for Ravenna XC fun and unique that you might not find in another XC program?
** I've tried a bunch of sports and none of them have stuck with me like cross country does. I don't quite know what it is about it, the people are so motivating which makes the environment so much more fun. I think everyone in it hates running just as much as the next person so we all bond over that. Especially on meet days, every time I turn the corner I see someone wearing a blue Ravenna shirt there to cheer me on. It's amazing.

5) What do you believe has helped make you so successful as a XC runner and what has this program taught you in terms of life?
** I think that being disciplined during the off season, especially in the summer, makes the rest of the year go a lot smoother. It has taught me that even when you don't want to, working hard at something will make you better in the long run.

6) What is your best memory from being a member of the XC team and what will you miss most about being a part of this team?
** My favorite memory is District Cross Country my sophomore year. The course was definitely... interesting, but there was a lot to look at. My favorite part was when we went and ate at Buffalo Wild Wings after and everyone tried the spiciest wing they had on the menu. I however was too scared to try it, but it was entertaining to watch everyone's faces once they ate it.

7) What advice do you have for the younger runners on the team or someone who wishes to go out for XC?
** My advice for younger runners is to have fun, I know that sounds so cheesy, but it goes by a lot faster than you think. Although it is important to push yourself to do your best, it's also important to actually love the sport you are competing in, and keeping a positive attitude makes it so much better.

8 ) What are your post-graduation running plans? Will you run in college? Will you attempt a marathon one day? Will you never run again? Etc.
** After graduating I do hope to continue running. After this season is over, my mom and I are running the Good Life Halfsy in November. After high school I would like to keep the habit of running because it is so beneficial to your overall health.

9) What legacy would you like to leave behind as you look back on your experience?
** I would like to leave behind fun memories at practices as an encouraging teammate.

10) Is there anyone you would like to thank?
** I would love to thank everyone who has come out to support our team throughout this season. More specifically I'd like to thank Grandpa Pat for always bringing us a cooler full of treats on meet days, Carrie Hervert for her encouraging (and quite funny) signs, my grandma for always showing up for me, Warren Coulter for yelling at me to push myself even when I didn't think I could, and my parents for coming to every meet no matter how far away. Most importantly I'd like to thank the coaches who help us every single day at practices, meets, and off-days, you're unbelievable. Thank you again to my mom for forcing me to sign up for this sport, I was so mad at you that day, but now I am so so grateful that I got to be a part of such an amazing team.

11) Anything else you would like your fans and community to know?
** Not really, thank you.

10/13/2026

✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT (3 of 4) ✨

🔹 Kason Palser 🔹

▪️Stats / Honors ▪️
*1st Year on team
* PR: 20:48 (Conference at Ord 2026)

1) What has been the highlight of your senior season?
** Definitely all the random things Ellis says and yells at us.

2) What is your favorite course that you've ran (excluding State) over your XC career? Any reason why?
** I actually liked Gibbon and all the hills it had.

3) What was your least favorite practice, knowing that when you came that day, it was going to be a long day?
** Running 8 to 10 miles on dirt roads.

4) What makes running for Ravenna XC fun and unique that you might not find in another XC program?
** We all get along really well together and make the trips fun.

5) What do you believe has helped make you so successful as a XC runner and what has this program taught you in terms of life?
** Knowing that becoming a state champion starts right here and it will get me in better shape for wrestling season. It definitely showed me how to push through the mental side of stuff when things get hard.

6) What is your best memory from being a member of the XC team and what will you miss most about being a part of this team?
** When Cameron and I were running side by side at Loup City talking during the race and Mr. Ellis said "I would of brought some knee pads if I knew you were going to crawl the whole race." We picked it up and managed to still PR by like 20 seconds.

7) What advice do you have for the younger runners on the team or someone who wishes to go out for XC?
** Actually run during the summer it will help out alot.

8 ) What are your post-graduation running plans? Will you run in college? Will you attempt a marathon one day? Will you never run again? Etc.
** I will keep running on my own but mostly to help with wrestling.

9) What legacy would you like to leave behind as you look back on your experience?
** I tried by hardest.

10) Is there anyone you would like to thank?
** The coaches for pushing me to get in better shape. All the parents for supporting us. Also, grandpa Pat for bringing all the goodies.

11) Anything else you would like your fans and community to know?
** N/A

10/12/2026

✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT (2 of 4) ✨

🔹 Arnold Kyhn 🔹

▪️Stats / Honors ▪️
*1st Year on team
* PR: 30:47 (Conference at Ord 2026)

1) What has been the highlight of your senior season?
** My highlight of this season is setting a new personal record almost every meet, especially at my last meet ever, at Conference at Ord.

2) What is your favorite course that you've ran (excluding State) over your XC career? Any reason why?
** My favorite course was our own personal course. It's hard, but it was nice having practice on the course and having a head start on what to expect.

3) What was your least favorite practice, knowing that when you came that day, it was going to be a long day?
** When we had to run for 90 minutes out on a hilly country gravel road that I've never been on before. (I was fine afterwards.)

4) What makes running for Ravenna XC fun and unique that you might not find in another XC program?
** It is easily the most supportive sport that I have ever participated in. It also really emphasizes the phrase "you get what you put in". If you have a good practice you will have a good outcome at your meets.

5) What do you believe has helped make you so successful as a XC runner and what has this program taught you in terms of life?
** I looked at it as a challenge of bettering myself. I think dedication towards a lot of running can be tough, but once it was over I didn't regret joining XC for my senior year at all.

6) What is your best memory from being a member of the XC team and what will you miss most about being a part of this team?
** My favorite memory is walking my last regular season meet course at UNK pre-meet and Ellis saying to be careful going down this steep downhill section and then I fell and slide down the steepest hill at Kearney Country Club Golf Course (by accident). My t-shirt is forever stained from that slide.

7) What advice do you have for the younger runners on the team or someone who wishes to go out for XC?
** XC is a sport that requires a moderate amount of dedication no matter what anyone says. If you want to perform great and improve yourself, then you need to push toward that goal one practice at a time. It is not an easy sport.

8 ) What are your post-graduation running plans? Will you run in college? Will you attempt a marathon one day? Will you never run again? Etc.
** I think that over the summer I plan on going for regular jogs every once in a while. I think that I will still use my mobile app and track my runs during college for fun.

9) What legacy would you like to leave behind as you look back on your experience?
** I would like people to know that you don't have to be in the best of shape or weight to go out for XC. I know for a fact that I am one of the largest cross country runners in the state, and I am perfectly fine with that. It's not about being perfect, it's about giving the effort.

10) Is there anyone you would like to thank?
** I would like to thank my parents for indulging in this new sport for me and learning what it is all about. I would also like to thank my friends that I've built better bonds with over the XC season for pushing me everyday. Finally, I would like to thank Mr. Ellis and Mrs. Zinnell for being amazing coaches for this sport. I truly appreciate all of the dedication you guys put into this sport to make such a great team to be a part of.

11) Anything else you would like your fans and community to know?
** I have enjoyed learning a new sport and pushing myself to stay in shape for basketball season. I am looking forward to using my endurance that I built up through XC in so many other activities. Thank you.

10/11/2026

✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT (1 of 4) ✨

🔹 Taitem Barnes 🔹

▪️Stats / Honors ▪️
*1st Year on team
* PR: 23:19 (Conference at Ord 2026)

1) What has been the highlight of your senior season?
** Our team bonding at the start of the season.

2) What is your favorite course that you've ran (excluding State) over your XC career? Any reason why?
** Franklin

3) What was your least favorite practice, knowing that when you came that day, it was going to be a long day?
** The ones where we had to run.

4) What makes running for Ravenna XC fun and unique that you might not find in another XC program?
** The teammates.

5) What do you believe has helped make you so successful as a XC runner and what has this program taught you in terms of life?
** Not taking the opportunities I was given for granted.

6) What is your best memory from being a member of the XC team and what will you miss most about being a part of this team?
** Our team bonding where we hung out.

7) What advice do you have for the younger runners on the team or someone who wishes to go out for XC?
** Go to practice.

8 ) What are your post-graduation running plans? Will you run in college? Will you attempt a marathon one day? Will you never run again? Etc.
** I don't think I'll run again anytime soon.

9) What legacy would you like to leave behind as you look back on your experience?
** Just run.

10) Is there anyone you would like to thank?
** The whole cross country community and my teammates.

11) Anything else you would like your fans and community to know?
** Thank you for supporting us.

10/10/2026

🏆 STATE CHAMPIONS! 🏆

Let me repeat that.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN RAVENNA HISTORY… YOUR BLUEJAYS ARE JUNIOR HIGH CLASS C/D STATE CHAMPIONS!

✔️Abbie Osten: 9th Place
✔️Raegan Behrendt: 20th Place
✔️ Remi Behrendt: Just one spot shy of a medal!
✔️Kymber Sundermeier: Helped power the Bluejays to a historic team championship!

More details, pictures, and celebrations to come. Right now, we’re a little busy celebrating history.

GO BLUEJAYS! 💙

10/10/2026

🎉 Junior High State - Today! 🎉

Sure, the Huskers are good. But the Bluejays? The Best.

If you live anywhere near Omaha, you have absolutely zero excuses. Get yourself to Papillion-La Vista South for the Junior High State Cross Country Meet and watch Ravenna history in the making!

For the FIRST TIME EVER, Ravenna is sending a full scoring team to Junior High State! Last year, Abbie and Remi qualified individually, and Remi came home with a medal. This year? We’re coming for multiple medals AND a team score. The girls have put in the work, and now they get to show the state Ravenna can compete.

And listen, even if you don’t live near Omaha, that’s not an excuse. There’s such a thing as a red-eye flight. We’ve tried to help you get your priorities straight all season, but we can’t make good decisions for you.

Don’t come back later saying you missed out on watching history. It’s FREE, for crying out loud. Our advice is barely free these days.

📍 Papillion-La Vista South High School
🏁 Class C/D Championship Race: 12:20 PM

Come cheer loud, wear your blue, and help these Bluejays make some history. Every other Saturday can belong to the Huskers but today belongs to these girls.

10/08/2026

Identity crisis… fun… a chance to do anything other than run… whatever you want to call it, sometimes being a great runner means knowing when not to run.

Today was about stepping away from routine and giving our bodies and minds something different. A long bike ride on the world-famous Ravenna Hike N Bike Trail, followed by a “caliente” yoga session with Rural Roots Yoga targeting all those long-lost muscles we forgot existed.

A great day, a lot of laughs, and a chance to reset and get ourselves in the right mindset for Districts next week.

09/28/2026

✅ UNK INVITE ✅

The weather was about as perfect as we could ask for, and the competition was anything but light. The Class D races drew nearly 400 boys and 270 girls from 70 school districts, with more than 2,000 runners expected across all classes throughout the day. The announcers called the UNK Invite the largest sporting event in the state at any level, and it was easy to believe them.

We knew medals would be a tall order in fields that deep, but our runners made the most of the opportunity. Several finished within 5–10 seconds of their personal bests, which is impressive on a course like UNK. It was a good reminder that the course matters, but so does the mindset you bring to it. Reid Braddy took that a step further and set another PR, apparently fueled by his “HOT FEET", no small feat.

A few of the boys also met our friend "Bif". Some enjoyed the introduction so much they gave him a big hug and came away looking like a bomb had gone off in a porta potty. You had to be there. Sometimes not having a camera is both a blessing and a curse.

Now we’re preparing for the final home stretch: conference next week, then districts and a chance to earn a state berth the week after!

🏁 RESULTS 🏁
GIRLS VARSITY (67 teams / 263 runners)
- Maleah Rager - 26:31 - 139th
- Kloee Sundermeier - 27:08 - 157th
- Aubree Hervert - 27:28 - 163rd
- Morgan Schuller - 27:42 - 167th
- Lilly Bursaw - 30:23 - 206th
- Brinley Palser - 31:42 - 212th
Team Score : 33rd place

BOYS VARSITY (70 teams / 287 runners)
- Brendan Lockhorn - 19:57 - 83rd
- Kason Palser - 21:30 - 154th
- Reid Braddy - 21:33 - 162nd *PR*
- Cameron Fisher - 22:11 - 189th
- Taitem Barnes - 22:49 - 219th
- Landon Linke - 24:09 - 266th
- Riley Behrendt - 24:10 - 267th
- Aaron Coulter - 24:17 - 274th
- Quentin Hall - 25:21 - 297th
- Arnold Kyhn - 31:34 - 346th
Team Score : 35th place

JUNIOR HIGH - The junior high season has officially concluded, but a few of our runners qualified to run at Junior High State Meet in Papillion on October 10th, so watch out for good news from that meet in the coming weeks!

Don’t forget to invite your Cross Country and Ravenna Bluejay family and friends to like and follow our page! GO JAYS!