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Following a tight race with St. Cloud Cathedral and Crosby-Ironton, Paynesville runners and fans were left wondering: what place did the girls take? Rumors spread throughout the golf course, as they do after every race. No one could be sure which school won until the results were posted.

The Paynesville girls' cross-country team took first in Section 5A for the second year in a row, advancing to state for the third time as a team and for the second year in a row.

The girls defeated Cathedral, rated fifth in the state, for the first time this season, 64-67. Crosby-Ironton was third at 73.

Coach Darrel Carstens was ecstatic about the win, and the performances of all the individual team members. "I think we can make it to the platform (at state)," said Carstens after seeing the girls' performance at sections. The top three teams at state are awarded trophies on the platform at state.

Eighth grader Kacy Nehowig sprinted down the stretch with Jamie Talerg of Pierz. Albany's Rachel Stangler took first, Talberg took second, and Nehowig third.

Nearly every Bulldog ran her personal best time to help lead Paynesville to victory. Eighth grader Kacy Nehowig placed third to qualify individually for state, with an outstanding time of 15:01. She was second until being passed in the home stretch. "That Pierz girl (Jamie Talberg) outsprinted me at the end," said Nehowig.

Ninth grader Brooke Schmitz, who has earned All State honors the past two years at state, took fifth, only two seconds behind Nehowig. Schmitz is no longer having allergy problems, so is able to perform to her full potential. She also earned the honor of making it to state individually.

Eighth grader Tanis Beireis jumped up to take 15th as the third runner for the Bulldogs. Beireis has taken off large portions of her times as the meets go on.

In 16th, fourth for the Dogs, was seventh grader Brittni Schmitz.

Completing the team score for the Bulldogs was senior Nicole Flint in 25th. Flint was able to outsprint Cathedral's fifth runner in the last 400 meters, helping the Dogs to victory.

Seventh grader Kaitlyn Frenchick placed 30th overall. Frenchick beat Cathedral's sixth runner. In the event of a tie, like at sections last year, the places of the sixth runners would be the deciding factor for determining the winner.

Athletic coordinator Kyle Nehowig, also a proud parent, and seventh grader Kaitlyn Frenchick smile after learning the girls' team had won the section title and advanced to state.

Ninth grader Sheena Hoekstra finished in 47th for the Dogs. Hoekstra ran her best race, beating her personal best by over a minute. "It hurts to run that fast," she joked.

The Bulldogs, who took second at state last year, will run their final meet of the season at the state competition at St. Olaf College in Northfield on Saturday. The Class A girls' race starts at 10 a.m., with the boys' Class A race to follow.

Following both races, an awards ceremony will be held in the fieldhouse.

Team Scores
1. Paynesville 64
2. St. Cloud Cathedral 67
3. Crosby-Ironton 73
4. Rockford 93
5. Pierz 132
6. Albany 135
7. Pine City 157
8. Annandale 174

Individual Results
3. Kacy Nehowig 15:01
5. Brooke Schmitz 15:03
15. Tanis Beireis 16:06
16. Brittni Schmitz 16:13
25. Nicole Flint 16:37
30. Kaitlyn Frenchick 16:49
47. Sheena Hoekstra 17:55