Luverne cross country celebrates stellar week on the road

The Luverne Cardinals cross country team traveled to St. James and Willmar last week to compete against a range of schools across the region.
Coach Pete Janiszeski said he’s been pleased with his runners’ progress.
“The kids are improving and coming into their own heading into the final few meets of the season,” he said. “They performed well in both meets.”
 
St. James Invitational
The Cardinals went to St. James Tuesday, Sept. 28, for the sixth meet of the year and came home with team titles for both the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams.
Luverne also had two individual varsity champions in Camden Janiszeski and Tenley Nelson as well as champion junior high girl Khloe Visker and junior high boy Marcus Papik.
Girls: Nelson finished first in varsity girls with a 5k time of 19:25.42 and Jenna DeBates came in third with a time of 19:42.75.
Kayla Bloemendaal finished sixth with a time of 21:30.67 and Grace Ingebretson finished seventh with a time of 21:39.78.
Other girls varsity times were: Kianna Winter, 23:15.15; Ella Schmuck, 23:23.64; Tiana Lais, 23:25.44; Brynn Boyenga, 26:22.79; Andrea Luitjens, 30:30.04.
Boys: Camden Janiszeski placed first with a time of 17:26.71. Owen Janiszeski came in close behind to place second with a time of 17:42.51.
Other boys varsity times were: Griffen Jarchow, 18:22.64; Leif Ingebretson, 20:12.13; Ryan Fick, 20:17.83; Kaleb Hemme, 20:48.50; Camden Hoven, 21:05.23; Zach Brown, 22:05.71; Ethan Rahm, 22.20.94; Logan Ommen, 22:45.01; Eli McLendon, 23:12.74.
Here’s a look at other results from St. James:
Junior high girls 1,700 meter: Khloe Visker, 1st (7:09.07); Mariah Knorr, 3rd (7:39.05); Olivia Lund, 6th (8:26.39); Maddy Schepel, 11th (9:49.32)
Junior high boys 1,700 meter: Marcus Papik, 1st (6:51.90); Riley Ripka, 17th (10:16.95)
 
Willmar Glacial Lakes Invitational Oct. 2
Luverne traveled to Willmar on Saturday, Oct. 2, to participate in the Willmar Glacial Lakes Invitational.
Coach Janiszeski said Luverne held up well against tough competition on a difficult course.
“In Willmar many kids had season or all-time best performances on a challenging course,” he said. “It has been fun this week to watch their confidence grow.”
Luverne’s varsity girls team overall placed fifth behind Hopkins, Willmar, Marshall and Perham.
Varsity boys placed sixth overall behind Hopkins, Perham, Willmar, Sartell and Totino Grace.
Individually, varsity runner Tenley Nelson placed fourth with a 5k time of 19:14.3 and Jenna DeBates placed seventh with a time of 19:41.2.
Other girls varsity times were: Kayla Bloemendaal, 21:34.4; Ella Schmuck, 21:49.9; Tiana Lais, 22:31.2 and Khloe Visker, 23:01.6.
Camden Janiszeski placed 14th in the boys varsity 5k with a time of 17:22.2 and Owen Janiszeski placed 16th with a time of 17:44.2.
Other boys varsity times were: Sage Viessman, 18:59.6; Leif Ingebretson, 19:13.2, and Camden Hoven, 19:36.1.
Other results from Willmar are as follows.
Junior varsity boys 5k: Zach Brown, 27th (21:36.2); Eli McLendon, 35th (22:03.7)
Junior varsity girls 5k: Andrea Luitjens, 46th (28:33.2)
Middle school girls, 3,200: Mariah Knorr, 10th (14:14.2); Olivia Lund, 26th (15:48.2)
Middle school boys, 3,200: Marcus Papik, 7th (12:54.2); Riley Ripka, 32nd (17:09.6)