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Katie Holzner of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy has individually qualified for the Class A State Cross Country meet again this year. Holzner ran at the Section 6A race at Whitetail Run Golf Course in Wadena on Thursday, October 24. “The weather was cold and cloudy and it just started to rain as the girls race was about to begin,” said Hillcrest head coach Andrew Riestenberg. “Katie went out fast and hard to overcome an unfavorable starting box position, but quickly settled into the top pack of the race.”
Holzner maintained the fourth place position for the first two laps of the race before another runner attempted to overcome her. Katie fought to stay in stride with the other runner but the gap was increased going into the last 200 meters. Katie dug deep, but was unable to regain her four place position, coming in fifth overall with a time of 20:09.
“A great time, considering the weather and the course, but she would have liked to be closer to her personal best of 19:50,” stated Coach Riestenberg. “Still, her fifth place finish meant she was among the group of girls to qualify individually for the state competition. The state meet will be held at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights on Saturday, November 2. Katie plans to go down for a course preview and pre-registration on Friday, with her race to take place at 2:30pm Saturday. Katie is excited to be returning to the state meet and hopes to improve on her placement form last year coming in 27th with a time of 19:58.”