Minnehaha Cross Country Team earns a chance at the State Competition
October 25, 2102
The Minnehaha Academy Cross Country Team participated in the Section 4A Cross Country Meet which determined what teams and individuals would qualify for state. Prior to the competition, this meet had been circled on the Minnehaha Academy Cross Country calendar for many reasons.
Last year, the boys team tied for first, but lost to The Blake School on the tie breaker (still qualifying for the state championship). Last year, the girls team left the meet having placed second and qualifying for state, only to find out later that night that there was a scoring error; they were denied a state berth as a team and had to return their medals and trophy the next day. Given the results from the past, both teams have had a singular, unwavering focus on October 25, 2012. Motivation was at an all-time high.
Results from the Section 4A Championships:
The boys team left no doubt on the course by placing three runners in the top 10, and all of the team scorers finished in the top 20. The Blake School put up a strong fight, but the Redhawks still prevailed by 22 points, winning the meet in a convincing fashion and earning their eleventh berth to state in the last twelve years.
Boys running this race were: Ethan Wagner (11 -2nd), Luke Brown (12 - 3rd), Jacob Eggers (12 - 8th), Mark Lind (12 - 15th), Andrew Wintz (10 - 18th), Zach Newton (10 - 21st), and Griffin Snow (10 - 36th). The boys will race at 10 a.m. at St. Olaf College on November 3.
The girls team had very serious competition going into the section meet. Vying for the two spots to qualify for state were four ranked teams in class 'A' cross country: Trinity at River Ridge (#4), The Blake School (#9), Minnehaha Academy (#10), and St. Paul Academy and Summit (#12.) The girls were focused on the line and executed flawlessly during the race. As the race progressed, it became apparent that the Redhawk runners were in contention, and at the finish, the girls knew they had completed a job well done.
The girls were elated to finish in 2nd place with 84 pts, 19 out of first place Blake, but 24 points ahead of 3rd place team, Trinity at River Ridge. In doing so, the girls team returns to state for the first time since 2003. Girls running this race were: Katherine Lubar (12 - 7th), Nicole Nipper (12 - 8th), Casey Haffield (12 -13th), Hannah Rikkers (12 - 21st), Anna Wintz (7 - 35th), Terra Rhoades (7 - 41st), and Saakje Hoekstra (9 - 77th). The girls will race at 11 a.m. at St. Olaf College on November 3.
Come down and support both of the Cross Country teams on November 3 at St Olaf!
