Prior to October 19, 2021, you’d have to scroll back in time to 2015 to find the last time a White Hawks boys cross country runner outright won the Conference meet.  On the girls' side, there were recent back-to-back wins in 2018 and 2019 by Laura Sunnarborg.  Time to update the record books, for on a perfect fall day in Jordan, Minnesota, senior and six-year team veteran Lance Nemecek earned top place honors with a commanding performance at the Wright Country East Conference Boys Cross Country Championship.

The flat, two loop, urban course, traversed through various practice fields, grassy areas and a wooded path on the Jordan High School campus.  From the start/finish area, spectators were treated with great views of the course and could keep runners in sight for much of the race.

Nervous excitement could be sensed as the boys’ varsity runners neared the start line.  With the sound of the starting gun, runners sprinted forward to determine their conference legacy.  Early on the pack was tight, but as they strode on, Nemecek took the lead by a few lengths looking determined and focused.  The aggressive pace began to separate the runners significantly, and with the completion of the first lap only Nemecek and a Jordan runner were in the lead group.  Not far behind, and having the race of his life, was Junior Jacob Trost in pursuit.

With his signature red sunglasses and calf-length crew socks, and seemingly energized by the cheers of spectators along the course, Nemecek increased the pace and the competition could not respond.  The gap continued to extend with the entirety of the second lap, leaving Nemecek alone at the finish line jubilantly exclaiming “I won, I can’t believe it!” Nemecek’s time was a 16:50, giving him the win, a new PR as well as a 22 second lead over second place. 

The future is bright for the White Hawks with Jacob Trost having a phenomenal race, finishing as the number two Westonka runner for the first time this season with a PR of 17:35 and 6th place overall.  Senior Josh Engesser was next with a 17:39 and 7th place.  Nemecek, Trost and Engesser each earned All-Conference honors by placing in the top nine finishers.  The next two White Hawks were Max Epsky with a 18:14 in 13th place, and Charlie Paul with a 18:16 in 14th place; both awarded with All-Conference Honorable Mention for their finishes.  Rounding out the White Hawk finishers were Brandon Knock with 18:52 in 20th place and Owen Paul with 19:47 in 29th place.  The team missed the top podium spot by only 3 points and took home a strong second place finish. 

A determined and prepared girls varsity team next contested their race.  Junior veteran Laura Sunnarborg and eighth grade newcomer Emma Andrev courageously covered the 5K course with the leading runners.  With the completion of their two laps, White Hawk finishers were Sunnarborg with a 20:46 in 5th place, Andrev with a 21:01 in 8th place and Audrey Kirscht with a 21:12 in 9th place and earning All-Conference honors.  Next came Allison Soule with a 21:36 in 11th, Sophia Engesser with a 21:50 in 15th place and Brooke Garlock 22:01 in 17th place all receiving All Conference honorable mention. Mari Engesser rounded out the field with a 22:23 in 19th place.  The girls team earned a second place overall by the narrowest of margins.

This would be the final race for the JV and Middle School teams, and they made the most of it.  The JV girls placed first with their perfect score of 15 with freshman Gabby Callahan leading with a 22:37 in 1st, eighth grader Bette Mae Grogan with a 23:33 in 2nd, sophomore Cassie Nemecek, 23:46 in 4th, eight grader Payton Stover with a 24:27 in 5th, freshman Claire Rashleger with a 24:57 in 6th.

The JV boys took second place overall with junior Ethan Garlock with a 19:24 in 7th, sophomore Mathew Von Edeskuty 19:24 in 8th, senior Wyatt Carlson with a 19:27 in 9th, Isaac Hays with a 19:35 in 11th and Andrew Finley with a 20:25 in 15th.  Isaac Aud, Miles Lund and Micah Esky with 21:33, 22:03 and 22:41 in 25th, 28th and 34th respectively completed the lineup.

The undefeated Middle school boys’ team remained just that.   Their leader Gavin Thelen delivered a 9:28 for 2nd, Liam Grant with a 9:30 in 3rd, Owen Trost with a 9:41 in 4th, Luke Sunnarborg with a 10:00 in 6th, Drew Carlson in 10:01 in 7th.  Bobby Trost, Brendan Rashleger, Gabriel Lundgren, Dillon Peterson, Brody Olson, Deacon Ranthum, August Lang and Joseph Puskarich also crossed the finish line. The Middle school girls race had Ellie Cordahl with a 11:34 in 6th place.

Coach Humbert later went on to say, “It was a delightful day and experience in Jordan last night with several highlights…there was a lot to celebrate yesterday at the WCC East meet.”  Next up for the White Hawks is Sections in Dassel-Cokato on October 28.