The 2016 cross country season has been one to remember for PCM Senior Chris Ellens.

A year removed from his 72nd placed finish at the 2015 state cross country meet, Ellens a Junior in that 2015 meet ran a time of 18:06.5. Not the time he may have been happy with but a time that would turn into motivation for his final year at PCM. Last year at the State meet Ellens was just happy to get a feel for the race, but this year he looks to compete for a medal. The 8th ranked runner in Class 2A Ellens has been finishing at the top of most of the meets he has taken part in this year. He broke his 17 minute barrier goal he set for himself as well as capturing a conference championship in his final year as a Mustang. Then on last Thursday Ellens took part in the state qualify meet at Central College and won the meet with a time of 16:34.2. The time of 16:34.2 would have been good enough for 8th place at the state meet a year ago, so with this year’s state cross country meet set for Saturday at Fort Dodge Ellens has just a few more days of practice to improve on his time if the Senior hopes to medal. Ellens will have to finish in the top ten if he wants a medal, as the top three finishers at state will win trophies and plaques while the top ten individual finishers will win medals.