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Luverne girls’ and boys’ varsity cross country teams both left the Big South Conference meet as small school champions Tuesday, Oct. 18, in Cedarcreek Park near Fairmont.
This Thursday, Oct. 27, they look forward to facing all teams in the section as Luverne hosts the Section 3A meet.
“We’re striving for another goal and an opportunity to extend our season another week,” said coach Pete Janiszeski.
The state cross country tournament is Nov. 5 in Northfield.
In the Big South Championships, Jenna DeBates, Luverne, won the girls’ varsity 5k with a time of 18:56.75.
Redwood Valley runner Addie Thomes came in second at 20:01.47.
Luverne’s Ella Schmuck placed third with a time of 20:12.31.
Madalyn Munsell from Redwood Valley placed fourth in 20:28.38.
This back and forth between Redwood and Luverne runners continued throughout the race that resulted in the Luverne girls winning by just one point for an exciting tally during the meet.
Luverne boys’ varsity top placer was Owen Janiszeski, who earned second place with a time of 16:22.90. He held the lead until a hill right before the finish line, when Will Ahrens from Redwood Valley passed him to finish in 16:10.20.
Other top runners were from Pipestone, Redwood, Windom and Jackson. The meet resulted in Luverne boys winning overall points and beating Redwood Valley by just five points.
“For the boys, it was awesome for them to achieve the title,” Janiszeski said. “The girls continue to show consistency at the conference meet with another title. Across the board, the kids got out and left it all on the course and we are very proud of them for their resilience and effort.”
Other varsity girls’ 5k results:
Grace Ingebretson, 9th, 21:24.39
Khloe Visker, 10th, 21:33.88
Grace Kempema, 26th, 23:06.06
Kayla Bloemendaal, 20th, 23:09.60
Makena Nelson, 22nd, 23:11.20
Maria Rops, 23rd, 23:11.80
Tiana Lais, 25th, 23:22.23
Other varsity boys’ 5k results
Ryan Fick, 6th, 17:08.60
Camden Janiszeski, 9th, 17:18.50
Sage Viessman, 14th, 17:43.10
Leif Ingebretson, 17th, 17:56.60
Carsen Tofteland, 18th, 18:03.80
Kaleb Hemme, 29th, 19:01.90
Dylan Ommen, 31st, 19:15.90
Junior Varsity girls’ 5k
Renae DeKam, 1st, 22:44.48
Reinha John, 2nd, 23:13.16
Olivia Lund, 3rd, 23:16.11
Mariah Knorr, 7th, 24:52.97
Andrea Luitjens, 21st, 28:24.34
Junior Varsity boys’ 5k
Zach Terrio, 2nd, 19:19.40
Camden Hoven, 4th, 19:39.43
Marcus Papik, 9th, 20:32.88
Eli McLendon, 10th, 21:05.13
Isaac DeBates, 11th, 21:10.07
Riley Ripka, 24th, 22:58.73