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A pair of hurdlers led the Pioneer track teams at the Eastern Midlands Conference meet on the Blair High School track last Thursday.

Aaron Conner of the Pioneer boys’ team suffered a muscle strain during the meet and was pulled from one of his races, but came back to win another event.

Conner qualified to run in the 110 meter high hurdles, but decided not to run in the finals.

Coach Ron Schaulis said the move was precautionary.

Conner came back to run the 400 meter run in a third place time of 53.8.

After a rest, Conner decided to run the 300 meter hurdles and was rewarded with a gold medal and his best time of the year at 40.4.

“That was a good sign that he was able to come back with a little rest,” Coach Schaulis said.

Nebraska City decided not to run the 1600 meter boys’ race Thursday, an event in which Conner runs.

Elsewhere, Michael Harms made the finals of the 100 meters and 200 meters and finished just outside of a medal with seventh place finishes.

Looking at the girls’ results from Thursday, Teten was second in the 300 meter hurdles, 51.4, and missed sixth place by just a tenth of a second in the 400 meters at 64.9.

Rachel Gogan jumped 15’2”, but did not make finals in the long jump.

The Pioneers’ 1600 relay ran 4:39 but did not place.

Looking at the team race, Plattsmouth comfortably won the boys’ side while Elkhorn and Blair came in second and third overall.

Norris won the girls’ meet. Plattsmouth and Waverly ran second and third.

The Pioneers will return to action for the district meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at Plattsmouth.