, 
Not even the heat could slow down the Luverne cross country team on Thursday, Aug. 27.
At the Hiawatha Park in Pipestone, the girls’ varsity runners got their season started off on the right foot by taking home first place at the team’s opening meet of the season.
“It’s a very veteran group,” Luverne cross country coach Pete Janiszeski said. “Everybody has a lot of experience. They know what to do when they get in the meet.”
Tenley Nelson was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 22:06.
The Cardinals rounded out the Top 5 with Grace Ingebretson placing second with a time of 22:40. Brooklyn VerSteeg finished third with a time of 23:06. Jenna DeBates finished right behind VerSteeg with a time of 23:08 to place fourth. Elizabeth Wagner finished with a time of 23:11 to place fifth.
Every single varsity runner for the Cardinals finished inside the Top 10. Regan Feit finished seventh (23:50) and Tiana Lais finished in ninth place (25:00).
“Times were a little slower than they were hoping for,” Janiszeski said. “But you have to consider the heat and the humidity. They were focused on the team side of things. They did a good job of pack running.”
On the boys’ side of things, Camdon Janiszeski finished inside the top five by placing fourth. To kick off the season Janiszeski finished with a time of 18:53.
“He had a good race,” coach Janiszeski said. “He was pleased with things. He looked smooth and comfortable. He didn’t get too anxious in the first half of the race. He was able to hold position and finish strong.”
The Cardinals will get back at it on Friday, Sept. 4, when they host their first home meet of the season. Janiszeski said the goal for his team is to just keep improving each day.
“We just like to build off each meet and each day,” he said. “What can we do to get ourselves better? They are going to want to build off of those performances and hopefully, the weather will be better.”
Girls’ 5000 Meter Run (Varsity)
(1). Tenley Nelson, Luverne (22:06)
(2). Grace Ingebretson, Luverne (22:40)
(3). Brooklyn VerSteeg, Luverne (23:06)
(4). Jenna DeBates, Luverne (23:08)
(5). Elizabeth Wagner (23:11)
(7). Regan Feit (23:50)
(9) Tiana Lais (25:00)
Boys’ 5000 Meter Run (Varsity)
(4). Camdon Janiszeski (18:53)
(11). Griffen Jarchow (20:53)
(17). Carsen Toftland (23:17)
(18). Camden Hoven (23:20)
(20). Ethan Rahm (25:51)