The Breckenridge/Wahpeton Cross Country team wrapped us the 2024 campaign at the Section 8AA Championship on a wet and rainy Detroit Lakes Country Club course on Thursday, October 24. Racing in the arguably toughest section in the state, Lucie Comstock left it all on the course narrowly missing a state qualifying berth with a 12th place finish. The top six runners who were not from Perham or Alexandria, as those schools qualified as a team, would earn a trip to state. Comstock finished 7th, 13 seconds behind the 6th place runner. “I can't fault her effort; she laid it all on the line,” said head coach Larry Lasch of the Storm.
Kiera Wiertzema also ran well, posting a 24th place finish. Jasmyn Benedict recovered from a fall in the first mile to place 52nd with Gracie Falk closely behind in 57th place. Addi King, 67th, Linnea Burgr, 69th, and Hailey Kurowski 74th, also ran well for the Storm.
Placing 31st, Troy Berdt ran a gutty race among some of the best runners in the state. Eighth grader Jace Dauer placed 71st with Ethan Shur finishing 77th. James Kochsiek, Jaxon Hill, Jack Ekren, and Odin Carlson rounded out the Storm line up placing 86th, 88th, 89th and 90th, respectively. “It was the first time we ran in the rain this season, practice or competition, and I feel our young boys team was not as prepared as they should have been," observed Coach Lasch. "It was a learning experience that the team can begin to build upon for next year."
Lasch continued, "Emiley Lindblad is the lone senior from this year's girls’ team. Emiley has committed six years to cross country, and she ran her personal best time this season at the Heart of Lakes Conference race. Emiley has been an alternate for the team that runs the Sectional races, which means she trains with the team knowing she may or may not run at the meet. Emiley is always a hard worker and never one to complain. Jaxon was the only senior on the boys’ squad. Jaxon has been in cross country for six years and has run on varsity since he was freshman. He was very valuable to mentor our young team. He was a calming presence and pointed the team in the right direction. Their contribution to cross country is much appreciated and will be missed."
Girls Team Results
1. Perham 51, 2. Alexandria 63, 3. Willmar 95, 4. Little Falls 136, 5. New London-Spicer 145, 6. Rocori 150, 7. Fergus Falls 166, 8. Breckenridge/Wahpeton 212, 9. Albany 216, 10. Thief River Falls 250, 11. Detroit Lakes 271, 12. Eden Valley-Watkins/Kimball 292
Boys Team Results
1. Perham 23, 2. Fergus Falls 79, 3. Willmar 126, 4. Alexandria 136, 5. Albany 191, 6. Rocori 192, 7. Thief River Falls 199, 8. New London-Spicer 204, 9. Detroit Lakes 223, 10. East Grand Forks 247, 11. Eden Valley-Watkins/Kimball 274, 12. Little Falls 296, 13. Breckenridge/Wahpeton 352