The Mound Westonka cross country team had their fourth meet, the Norwood Young America Lions Invite, at Baylor Park on Sept. 12. The team came across tough competition but didn’t let it stop them from having outstanding races. The team was met with a great course and gorgeous weather, which was an addition to their success. The White Hawks came into the Lions Invite ready and out with their heads high.

"Our meet at Baylor Park featured a beautiful day, a great course, and many fine race performances by our runners,” said head coach Butch Humbert. “At this time of the year our practices are the most important focus each week in terms of strength, endurance and overall health. It is going to be great to string together 10 key practices before we race again." 

The varsity girls team placed third out of 20 teams. Medaling for the girls was sophomore Emma Andrev in sixth place (20:17), ninth grader Sophia Engesser in 10th (20:43), junior Audrey Kirscht in 17th (21:00.1) and ninth grader Anna Regenold in 19th (21:00.4). Junior Brooke Garlock (21:54), senior Cassie Nemecek (22:32) and junior Claire Rashleger (23:17) added to the team’s impressive performance.

The varsity boys team placed ninth out of 23 teams. Medaling for the boys was senior Charlie Paul in 24th place (17:28), followed by juniors Isaac Hays (18:01) and Andrew Finley (18:06). The younger varsity members followed their lead with sophomore Luke Sunnarborg (18:45), ninth grader Owen Trost (18:52), sophomore Noah Huesmann (18:52) and ninth grader Drew Carlson (19:35) all improving their previous race times. 

The junior varsity boys team placed fourth out of 13 teams. Sophomore Gavin Thelen led the way in 12th place (19:27), followed by eighth grader Jacob Chilson in 16th (19:51), junior Miles Lund in 18th place (19:57) and ninth grader Brendan Rashleger in 22nd (20:04). Ninth grader Jensen Blackstad (21:11), senior Christian Jordan (21:27) and ninth grader Henry Ruegemer (23:11) completed the strong team. The small but mighty junior varsity girls team led with seventh grader Lydia Engesser taking third place (22:27), eighth grader Elisa Hays in eighth place (23:32) and senior Sierra Jerome took 38th (27:19).

This week’s race for the middle school was a quick one mile. The middle school boys team ended their three-meet winning streak and took second place out of eight teams. Seventh grader Rayne Shaffer took seventh (5:49), the six top score came from the eighth graders: Bronx Cupp 12th place (5:57), Trygg Carlson in 14th (6:00), Bennett Courneya (6:01), Brody Olson (6:07.1), Griffin Lund (6:07.8) and Elias Ottenbreit (6:19). The middle school girls team took fifth out of 8 teams. Eighth grader Vayla Jerome took sixth (6:31), seventh grader Hadley Hoag seventh place (6:32), followed by seventh grader Eva Savstrom (7:07), sixth grader Lillian Lundgren (7:15) and seventh grader Genevieve Fosler (7:23). 

"We are now about half way through our regular season," said coach Humbert. "It has been a wonderful first half, and with a few of our athletes getting healthier (from previous injuries and illness), it potentially could be an even better second half."

Next up for the team is their annual “Apple Run,” a team fundraiser at the Iron Exchange in Maple Plain and the Dassel-Cokato Invitational on Sept. 26 at Collinwood Park. Coach Humbert commented, "Thanks to Iron Exchange Pizza and the Minnetonka Apple Orchard for supporting our team this past week by hosting special events."