On Oct. 5, the Mound Westonka cross country team competed in their sixth meet of the season at the Thundering Royal Elk Meet in Otsego. The team came into the meet ready, but with chilly temperatures, wind and rain, the White Hawks found themselves with new obstacles to beat along with the competition. For the varsity teams, this week’s meet allowed entry of 10 runners. The team had several athletes run varsity for the first time with impressive times. 

The varsity boys finished ninth out of 18 teams. Leading was senior Charlie Paul (18:13), followed by juniors Isaac Hays and Andrew Finley, who both finished at 18:29. Adding to the team’s strong performance were senior Brandon Knock (18:54), sophomore Luke Sunnarborg (18:59), sophomore Noah Huesmann (19:05), ninth grader Drew Carlson (19:30), junior Miles Lund (20:01), sophomore Gavin Thelen (20:11) and senior Christian Jordan (21:48).

The varsity girls finished fourth out of 12 teams, with ninth graders Sophia Engesser (20:36) and Anna Regenold (20:48) making the top 20, followed by junior Audrey Kirscht (21:12), sophomore Emma Andrev (21:18), seventh grader Lydia Engesser (21:40), junior Brooke Garlock (21:52), senior Cassie Nemecek (22:09), junior Claire Rashleger (23:10), eighth grader Elise Hays (23:27) and seventh grader Hadley Hoag (23:42). 

The junior varsity boys team was met with lots of rain and wind during their races, but that did not stop them from making good times. Eighth graders Jacob Chilson (19:43) and Gabriel Lundgren (19:52) made the top 20, followed by ninth graders Jensen Blackstad (21:08), August Lang (22:45), Reece Blackstad (22:51) and Henry Ruegemer (24:21). For the junior varsity girls, senior Sierra Jerome (27:29) did a great job representing the White Hawks.

The middle school teams showed the future is bright! For the boys, five eighth grade runners placed in the top 10: Griffin Lund (third/10:00), Brody Olson (fourth/10:01), Trigg Carlson (sixth/10:05), Elias Ottenbreit (eighth/10:21) and Bennett Courneya (ninth/10:27). Placing in the top 20 for the girls were eighth graders Vayla Jerome (third/10:37) and Eva Savstrom (15th/11:38). 

The season is winding down with the final regular season meet on Oct. 10 in Jordan, followed by the Conference Meet in Delano on Oct. 17.