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Border West Cross Country (Season Preview)

By Craig Olson, 08/13/22, 5:15PM CDT

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Brittany Erickson begins her tenth year as Border West Cross Country Coach.  She wears two hats, coaching both the boys and girls varsity teams.  The boys’ team placed third at the Camden Conference meet behind LQPV and Canby/Minneota, with Joe Arens missing All-Conference by one place.  The young girls’ team was led by All-Conference runner Julia Schmidt in her freshman season. 

“We lost some runners to other programs so our numbers are down compared to the last several years,” reported Coach Erickson.  “Both our football and volleyball teams had successful seasons last year.  I also have a few that are going to focus on their winter sports.  It happens, but they have all told me that cross country has had a positive impact on them which means we’re doing things right.  I have always expressed to my runners and others that my job as a coach is to help them improve and reach their goals, whatever those may be.  Our program has always been a patchwork of students who run for different reasons … to be in shape for a different sport, be a part of something, to have fun, to meet new people, or because they love running – and we will always be there for that.”

Returning starters include seniors Derek Lupkes, Brady Pederson, Joe Arens and Ian Swedlund, junior Braylen Schmidt and sophomores Julia Schmidt and Karter Martinek.

“We have a strong core of senior boys in Brady, Joe and Derek who bring a lot of experience, leadership, competitiveness and fun to the team,” noted Erickson.  “Our girls’ team is young, but also experienced.  I’m hoping that it continues to grow and improve as the season progresses.  Joe Arens and Julia Schmidt have been putting in the summer mileage and I think both are focused on running their best season yet.  Sophomore Liz Franzese has also done some summer running and I think she’ll play a huge role on the girls’ varsity team.  Our goals are simple: to improve, to respect oneself and others while still being competitive, and to have fun.”

Erickson says that Martinek, Franzese and Braylen Schmidt will all play a pivotal role on the varsity team, along with Julia Schmidt, while a healthy Ian Swedlund will help stabilize the boys’ varsity lineup.

“Sophomore Kyle Kremer improved as the season progressed last year and could potentially play a key role on the varsity squad, and freshman Lucas Gahlon, who was voted the Most Improved junior high runner last year, could also make an impact,” stated Coach Erickson.

Coach Erickson says LQPV and Canby/Minneota will be the favorites in the Camden Conference, with West Central Area, Staples-Motley and Minnewaska Area the teams to beat in the Section.