The Mound Westonka White Hawks traveled to Baylor Regional Park on Sept 10 for the Norwood Young America Lions Cross Country Meet, competing against 26 teams. On a muggy afternoon, the athletes gave a strong display of grit and determination on the Baylor course.
The varsity girls continue to show impressive depth, placing third overall among some highly competitive teams. Sophomore Sophia Engesser led the White Hawks with a time of 20:43, earning an 11th place finish among 130 varsity girls. Next in, and earning top 25 medals as well, were senior Audrey Kirscht in 18th place at a season best time of 21:04 and 8th grader Hadley Hoag in 21st place with a personal best time of 21:19. The White Hawks depth came into play with solid finishes for 8th grader Lydia Engesser in 30th place at 21:53, sophomore Anna Regenold right behind in 31st place at 21:53, and senior Brooke Garlock in 36th place at 22:19.
The varsity boys were met with a burst of rain right before the start of their race, leading to an exciting start for the 151 athletes competing. Leading the White Hawks was senior Isaac Hays in 28th place with a time of 17:48. Andrew Finley came across the finish line next in 44th place at 18:30. Just behind was a pack of three White Hawk runners, all earning personal best times, including juniors Noah Huesmann and Luke Sunnarborg both at 18:43 and sophomore Owen Trost at 18:45.
The junior varsity boys came out with a strong, hard-earned 2nd place title. The White Hawks were led by a close pack of three runners, sophomore Brenden Rashleger in 6th place at 19:29, freshman Gabe Lundgren in 7th place at 19:31, and sophomore Levi Hays in 8th place at 19:32, with each earning personal best times and top 10 medals. Next in, with season best times, were freshman Jacob Chilson at 19:57 and junior Gavin Thelen at 20:15.
The junior varsity girls placed three runners in the top 10, running as a pack much of the race: freshmen Vayla Jerome in 5th place at 24:15 and Elise Hays in 6th place at 24:18 and senior Claire Rashleger in 8th place at 24:32.
The middle school athletes competed in a shorter one-mile race, which made for an electric atmosphere for the hundreds of spectators cheering on the athletes. Leading the way for the girls with an impressive 3rd place finish was 6th grader Raelyn Moslander, just 10 seconds behind first place. The White Hawk boys were led by 8th grader Kellen Mueller in 6th place at 5:52.
Reflecting after the meet, Coach Butch Humbert shared, “It was really exciting to see the kids perform and support each other so well. We are in good shape overall, but we are not quite in race shape yet, but that is just around the next bend in the trail.” Always the consummate encourager, Coach Humbert added, “We as coaches are really proud of our kids and their families. We are having fun, setting and achieving many goals, and are a bit glum that the season goes so fast — wish it was longer!”
Humbert looks ahead with great anticipation: “Our next competition is the Charger Invite near Dassel-Cokato, which is stacked with very good teams and will be a super challenge for our kids. That meet is contested on perhaps the best CC course we run on, at Collinwood Park. Cooler temps, mid-season fitness, great trails and opponents make for a successful outing each year at Dassel.” The Charger Invite will take place on Tuesday, September 24th at Collinwood Park.
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