“Last year we joined with Ashby, which greatly improved our numbers,” noted Bosma.  “This year there are 43 runners on the roster.  There are many who came out this year because they have no other options for competition, or they were finally given the opportunity to try it.  I know some will go back to their other fall sports when they resume, but this is a chance for athletes to become better athletes, physically and mentally.”

The boys’ team features three seniors, Jaden Norby, Miles Hoff and Xavier Grussing.  The seven juniors are led by 2019 captain Wes Siira.  Other juniors include Jacob Cook, Matson Hoff, Hunter Norby, Carter Spangler, Jayden Hoidahl and Titus Fuller.  Kian Gackle and Logan Froemming are the two sophomore runners.  Freshmen members of the boys’ team are Jake Norby, Micah Fossell, Lucas Fuller, Sully Wales and Ty Siira.  Eighth-graders on the roster are Levi Rossum, Gavin Nicholas, Micah Fuller and Donell Lee.  Kaleb Fuglseth, August Bredberg, Kenneth Spielman and Charles Erickson are the seventh-graders on the team.

“We have many new runners this year and some returning that will be fighting for a varsity spot,” added Bosma.  “Jaden Norby is a natural leader who keeps pushing everyone in practice.  He seems somewhat out of place playing a sport without a ball, but he gives full effort all the time.  Hunter Norby has a natural stride and is running with the top of the pack right now.  Once he figures out racing strategy, good things will happen.  Jacob Cook is another leader on the team that pushes everyone in practice to keep working every day.  Last year Kian Gackle was always fighting for one of the last two varsity spots.  He looks stronger and more relaxed while running this year, so I expect him to continue to challenge for a top seven spot on the team.  Micah Fossell is a younger runner, but developed a lot over the summer.  I think he is going to compete for one of the top spots on the team this year.”

The girls’ team has two seniors, Cailey Schlosser and MiKenna Pattrin, two juniors, Katlyn Pattrin and Catherine Koefod, two sophomores, Emma Erickson and Gretchen Bredberg, and two ninth-graders, Kiatta Korkowski and Quynn Beherns.  Eighth-graders Elliana Bahls, Courtney Brethorst, Karlee Baumann, Taylor Dingwall and Ava Santjer, and seventh-graders Ayden Beherns, Mary Fossell, Lilly Tollefson, Hannah Korkowski and Lacey Siira round out the roster.

“Senior Cailey Schlosser has a positive attitude and outworks most of the girls every day in practice,” said Bosma.  “Courtney Brethorst is a younger runner, but is working with running with much older kids.  She has a lot going for her.  Catherine Koefod, Kaitlyn Pattrin and Gretchen Bredberg are natural athletes that should be pushing each other in meets.  They don’t know what to expect from themselves, but they work hard every practice.”

Anna Johnson will assist Bosma this season.

“Perham’s AD and Head Coach set up a meet schedule for all the teams in the section to ensure we all had the full opportunity to run all the meets we can.  For that, I am grateful,” said Bosma.  “With this schedule we will be hosting three meets.  With smaller meets, the runners are going to have to rely more on their teammates to learn how to pace.  I will lean on the veteran runners to help the new athletes this year.”