Return to Sports Archives

Despite the fact that the Dogs were missing a top runner, sophomore Kim Hess, they were still able to pull off a third place finish. Hess is suffering from a foot injury that hurts whenever she runs. She is expected to be running at the teamÕs next meet at BBE.

The Bulldogs finished behind the two-time state champions from New London-Spicer, who were the only team to beat the Dogs at state last year, as the Paynesville girls took second in the state.

Canby/Minneota/Lincoln took first place by a small margin, edging NL-S 67-72. CML was not rated in the preseason rankings. NL-S is the top-rated team, while the Bulldogs are rated fifth.

The girls ran good times considering the hot sun and the large hill, for which the course at the Morris Golf Club is known.

Freshman Brooke Schmitz led the Bulldogs with an impressive second place finish. Soon to follow was eighth grader Kacy Nehowig in third, only nine seconds behind.

The next of the Paynesville finishers came in consecutive order as well. Seventh grader Brittni Schmitz and senior Nicole Flint placed 15th and 16th. ÒBrittni had a great first race,Ó said coach Darrel Carstens.

Brittni experienced some pre-race jitters. Ò I was so scared,Ó she said, exhausted at the finish line.

Flint also had a difficult race because of an injured leg.

Rounding off the team score for the Dogs was another newcomer, seventh grader Melanie Koerner in 56th place. This, too, was her first varsity race.

The final runner for the Bulldogs was ninth grader Sheena Hoekstra, an alternate on last yearÕs state team. She placed 59th.

The Bulldogs girlsÕ cross country team is young this year, with only one senior and one sophomore. They do, however, have many talented young athletes. Carstens said, ÒNow is when our hard work will start to pay off.Ó

The girls run next at the golf course in Brooten on Thursday, Sept. 5. The meet, hosted by BBE, will start at 5 p.m.

Team Scores
1. Canby/Minneota/Lincoln 67
2. New London-Spicer 72
3. Paynesville 94
4. Marshall 124
5. Perham 173
6. Sauk Centre 174 7. Pelican Rapids 190
8. Minnewaska 211
9. Morris 227
10. Wadena-Deer Creek 228
11. Ortonville Inc.
12. Montevideo Inc.

Individual Results
2. Brooke Schmitz 15:57
3. Kacy Nehowig 16:06
15. Brittni Schmitz 17:14
16. Nicole Flint 17:18
56. Melanie Koerner 19:52
59. Sheena Hoekstra 20:11