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West Central Area Cross Country (Season Preview)

By Craig Olson, 08/20/19, 4:00PM CDT

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The West Central Area Cross Country teams are coming off their most successful season and look forward to some tough competition this year. 

“We have lost Hunter Mickelson, Bennet Grove and Ella Van Kempen to graduation,” said Head Coach John Van Kempen.  “Bennet was a first timer in CC last year but was one of our top seven by the end of the season.  Hunter was a big strong kid who was a great team member and we loved seeing him busting a path for his teammates at the beginning of races.  Ella has been the backbone of the girls’ program, she was able to compete in five state meets in her decorated career and her leadership will surely be missed.   We have some excellent leaders in Lexi Bright, Teagan Nelson, Jacob Bright, Jack Van Kempen and Kyle Schill.  They have a lot of experience in big races and are top shelf students.  We couldn’t ask for better role models in our hallways and in competitions.”   

The WCA girls have returners Lexi Bright (10th grade), Teagan Nelson (12th), Brynn Fernholz (11th), Kennedy Porter (10th),  Taylor Bennet (8th), Terina Blascyk (8th), Alexa Blume (8th) and Sydney Ulrick (8th) who were all part of their state team last year, finishing ninth in state and section 6A runner up.   “These girls have grown stronger since last year and we are hoping they can continue to improve as we proceed throughout the season,” reported Van Kempen.  “Veterans Quinn Huntley (9th) and Brooklyn Runge (8th) return from last season along with newbies seventh grader’s Blair Reuter and Stephanie Reeves.  Lexi will be nursing an injured foot for a while and Sydney may miss the whole season due to injury, so it will be interesting to see who can fill in to help our team.”

The boys team returns Jacob Bright (12th), Jack Van Kempen (12th), Kyle Schill (11th), Kade Runge (10th), Alex Salwasser (10th), Reubens Swanson (10th), and Shad Swanson (10th) returning from their 2nd place state finish last year and section 6A champions.  “They are working together and working hard thus far into the season,” noted Van Kempen.  “We also have some opportunities for some others to step up and help us.  Eighth graders Dane Anderson and Bryce Kjesbo along with sophomore Tyler Biss could fill that role for us.” 

Some new faces on the boys team are Camden Anderson (8th), Jack Courier (8th) along with Peyton Hanson (9th), Eli Bergman (9th), and Roman Mihailovschi (9th) who could also help the Knights down the road.  New seventh graders to the sport are Ben Bye, Trent Linquist, Connor Friedl and Simon Moritz

“The top team in the conference is State Champion Perham both for the boys and girls teams,” added Coach Van Kempen.  “They don’t ever seem like they are rebuilding but we enjoy competing against them.  The section looks competitive with Staples-Motley both for the girls’ and boys’ teams, along with Eden Valley/Watkins and Albany for the girls.”

John Van Kempen and Rick Toms have coached together for 13 years.  They are assisted by Heidi Bright (4 years) and Austin Hanson (2 years).