Both teams were Section 8A champs a year ago with the boys baking it 19 straight years as a state qualifier and the girls qualifying for an 18th consecutive season.  The Yellowjackets were not able to compete in a state meet due to COVID 19 restrictions, but both are 3-time defending state champs dating back to Pre-COVID days.

The boys return senior Jakob McCleary who is coming off winning the state track championship in the 800 meter run and finishing second in the mile.  He was fourth in the cross country state meet as a sophomore.  Bjorn Anderson (FR), Caden Doll (SO), Carter Flatau (FR) and Micah Thompson (JR) were all members of the section championship team last season.  Body Evenson was an alternate and one of the top JV runners as an eighth grader and will definitely add depth to the squad.  Carson Hespe is now running for Minnesota State University-Moorhead.

Back for the girls are Kai Starzl (SO), Gracie Morris (8th), Aspen Rhode (SO), Lauryn Rustad (JR), Quincy Anderson (JR) and Liz Birkeland (JR).  All were a part of the section team last year and all have earned All-Conference honors in the past.  LeeLou Novotny, an eighth grader, was an alternate on the team last year and had a great track season this past spring.  She is expected to jump right into the starting lineup this fall.

“Both of our teams have had an incredible summer, putting in tons of training,” noted Coach Morris.  “We have experience and youth to add to that, so it should be an outstanding season.”

Morris say West Central Area is the top challenger in the Heart O’ Lakes Conference and DGF will be at the top of the list of challengers in Section 8A.