“The Otter Girls had a great debut in Staples today,” said Head Coach Niki Welde.  “We had tough rainy conditions to compete in.  The course was wet and soft, making for a challenge.  I was very impressed with times they posted.  Emily Nuss (20:47.6) led the team with a time putting her close to where she ended last season, placing third.  Karolyn Papon (22:28.3) placed in the top 10 with an excellent race.  Ainsley Hansen (24:11.4), Sierra Hatlewick (24:31.0) and Rebecca Schindler (24:53.7) rounded out our top 5 today.  With Makenna Stenstrom (25:09.9) and Ellia Soydara (25:47.6) chasing close behind.  Miah Schmidt, Natalie Fransen and Emma Rund also both posted great races to start the season with.”  

Kyanna Burton (19:56.5) and Aften Robinson (20:31.5) of Staples-Motley finished first and second, respectively.

Here are the results by team:
Staples-Motley – 1. Kyanna Burton 19:56.5, 2. Aften Robinson 20:31.5, 4. Ashley Robben 20:58.2, 6. Addison Lorber 21:37.9, 8. Addisyn Chicos 22:04.1, 21. Elizabeth Danilyuk 23:53.8, 40. Mackenzie Wilds 26:13.8

United North Central – 5. Anjalie Aho 21:24.7, 9. Kaarin Lehto 22:24.9, 12. Kate Hendrickson 22:55.3, 18. Gabby Hrdlicka 24:04.3, 20. Devon Haverinen 24:27.8, 23. Molly Hendrickson 24:43.8, 33. Hope Shepersky 26:35.1

Detroit Lakes – 13. Afa Geffre 22:58.9, 14. Kaitlyn Jorgenson 23:21.5, 16. Molly Tinjum 23:43.2, 22. McKenna Mallow 24:37.6, 26. Maria Foltz 25:11.2, 29. Lauren Lokken 25:58.5, 32. Emma Tieken 26:27.8

Ottertail Central – 11. Katie George 22:34.1, 15. Laney Frost 23:27.1, 27. Allyson Goodman 25:29.0, 34. Kyleigh Shebeck 26:47.4, 39. Elizabeth Radermacher 30:28.2

Long Prairie-Grey Eagle – 7. Caroline Kuehne 21:52.7, 30 Megan Och 26:07.2, 35. Madison Spaeth 27:13.9, 36. Katelyn Payne 27:15.9, 37. Rebecca Berscheit 28:08.4, 38. Emily Bruder 28:38.1

“Naomi Dummer led our Middle School girls today,” said Welde. “We were one girl short to place as a team but we had fantastic starts for Kaylie Reitmier, Hannah Scharnberg, and Kate Heikes.  I look forward watching them become stronger more confident in their racing as the season goes on.”