CMB’s Ward running toward collegiate career

After the past few years of piling on mileage in the summer in preparation for cross country and track seasons, it all came together for Collins-Maxwell-Baxter’s Aaron Ward on Monday.

Ward signed a letter of intent to run for coach Bill Huntington at Southwestern Community College, which is located in Creston. Ward is coming off a cross country season in which he qualified for his first state meet and will run distance events for the CMB track team this spring.

“I’m very happy for Aaron as he continues his running career at Southwest Community College,” CMB cross country coach Jerry Meinerts said. “I was very happy to see the progress that Aaron made throughout his high school career, finally getting that opportunity to run at the state cross country meet his senior year.”

After a season of consistantly running near the front of the pack, Ward wrapped up his senior campaign with a time of 17 minutes, 13 seconds to place 46th in Class 2A. This spring he will likely continue to run distance events for the Raiders, as he has done in past seasons.

“Coach Huntington is getting an athlete that is very dedicated, works hard and loves to run,” Meinerts said. “I’m excited to see what Aaron can do once he gets into college.”