The LHS Cardinal Cross Country girls won their seventh consecutive team championship at the Big South Conference meet in Pipestone Tuesday.
The team had six All-Conference performances: Tenley Nelson first, Jenna DeBates third, Kayla Bloemendaal fourth, Ella Schmuck fifth, Camden Janiszeski fifth and Owen Janiszeski sixth.
They had two All-Conference honorable mention performances with Grace Ingebretson and Griffen Jarchow both finishing ninth.
Every runner on the Cardinal team had their best times this season so far, according to coach Pete Janiszeski.
“What an outstanding night on the course,” he said. “We were super proud of the kids for their efforts and the confidence they raced with. There’s not many nights that every single kid runs a season best time, many of which were all-time bests.”
Tenley Nelson’s 18:13.01 time was followed by Jenna DeBates’ 19:10.15 in the girls’ varsity 5K.
Other girls’ varsity times were:
Kayla Bloemendaal, 20:24.84
Ella Schmuck, 20:25.35
Grace Ingebretson, 20:39.01
Khloe Visker, 21:43.96
Tiana Lais, 22:15.94
Kianna Winter, 23:17.18
Janiszeski said the team’s mantra (to improve) is, “Stay humble and stay hungry.”
“We are pleased with where the team is at and that they are racing well at the right time of the season,” he said.
“If they stay hungry to improve, they will put themselves in a position to earn another week and an opportunity to race at the state meet.”
As for the varsity boys’ 5K, the team got second place, just two points from first-place St. James.
Camden Janiszeski had a time of 16:52.75 followed by Owen Janiszeski with a time of 17:00.86 for top Luverne finishes.
Other boys’ varsity times were:
Griffen Jarchow, 17:13.91
Sage Viessman, 18:03.27
Ryan Fick, 18:20.00
Leif Ingebretson, 18:42.02
Camden Hoven, 19:17.44
Kaleb Hemme, 19:50.26
Girls JV 5K:
Mariah Knorr 23:25.76,
Olivia Lund 24:02.87,
Brynn Boyenga 24:40.40,
Andrea Luitjens 27:44.82,
Maddy Schepel 30:38.68
Boys JV 5K:
Carsen Tofteland 19:17.50,
Ethan Rahm 19:55.21,
Pierce Cunningham 20:42.50,
Zach Brown 20:52.25,
Marcus Papik 20:55.63,
Logan Ommen 21:09.79,
Eli McLendon 21:21.05,
Riley Ripka 25:36.10