By John George
The Yellowjacket girls finished fourth as a team at the State Class A Meet behind All-State freshman Maddie McClellan, who finished sixth overall. The Yellowjackets were ranked No. 2 in Class A heading into the State Meet, and finished third last year.
No. 1 Adrian defended their team title with a score of 60. No. 3 Blake School finished second with 75, followed by No. 5 Rochester Lourdes (140) and Perham (148).
"We have nothing to hang our heads about," Morris said of the effort of his Jacket girls. "They gave it their all and were beat by some great teams who ran amazing races."
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Nikki Swenson of Lac Qui Parle Valley/Dawson Boyd finished a stellar high school career with her second individual title. She son her first title as a freshman and finished as State runner-up the past two seasons.
McClellan ran the race of her life, finishing with All-State honors in sixth place (15:09).
"I'm so happy with my finish," McClellan said. "I just can't believe it."
The girls had a favorable starting position and got off to a fast start.
"Brittany and Maddie went out in the top-10, that's what I told them to do," head coach Jeff Morris said. "I didn't think we had a shot unless we did that. If we hadn't gone out like that, we could've finished sixth or seventh."
Brittany Gigstead, who was ranked No. 8 coming into State, finished 15th among team runners, 21st overall (15:37).
"We got out like we wanted to," McClellan said. "Morris told me and Brittany to stay out close to the second and third runners. Get out fast. Keep that lead pack in sight."
They did that, but the lead pack had too many girls running good races.
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"I thought we got out pretty good," McClellan said. "We ran our best. There were just better teams here today."
"I told them that it's o.k. to be disappointed," Morris said. "But, they went out there and ran awesome. They all ran good races. Other teams ran really well today. We're please with how we did, but it's tough not to be up there (top-3)."
McClellan, just a freshman, will be back as the leader of the Jacket girls next fall.
"She's going to be looked at as one of the top returning girls next year, so I'm excited for her," Morris said. "I hope this gives her confidence to know that she's a good runner and if she put's in the summer work, she can be right up there with Kevin (Lachowitzer)."
Perham will be a young, but talented team next fall. Three of the Jackets top returning runners will only be sophomores next fall. McClellan, Holly Sheets (34th at State) and Jenna Gigstead (107th at State). The other top returning runner will be current sophomore Maddie Covington (101st at State). The only other sophomore on the roster is Brittany Rappat.
Alli Januszewski (118th at State), a junior, was the team's No. 7 runner this year and the only junior on the girls entire roster.
Saturday, November 4
State Class A Meet
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Northfield--St. Olaf College
Girls Team Scores
1. Adrian 60, 2. Blake School 75, 3. Rochester Lourdes 140, 4. Perham 148, 5. Staples-Motley 151, 6. Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd 161, 7. Fairmont 180, 8. Providence Academy 183, 9. Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin 232, 10. East Grand Forks 245, 11. Mora 256, 12. Esko 267, 13. La Crescent 283, 14. Ely 296, 15. Blue Earth Area 318, 16. Albany 388.
Medalist: Nikki Swenson (LQPV/DB)
14:23.6.
Jacket Individuals (Overall place):
4. Maddie McClellan 15:09.5 (6), 15. Brittany Gigstead 15:37.9 (21), 24. Holly Sheets 15:48.6 (34), 36. Sadie Ellenberg 16:05.9 (50), 69. Maddie Covington 16:40.3 (101), 74. Jenna Gigstead 16:44.4 (107), 82. Alli Januszewski 16:58.1 (118).
East Grand Forks Individuals
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20. Kelsey Aune 15:46.1, 45. Shelby Perkerewicz 16:20.3, 50. Jenna Woinarowicz 16:24.1, 60. Marina Galstad 16:30.5, 70. Brandi Wickersham 16:40.7, 88. Jayden Pesch 17:07.9, 96. Shayla Perkerewicz 17:21.3.
Section 8A Individuals
31. Victoria Lutz (Park Rapids) 15:47.5, 51. Kristin Westby (Pelican Rapids) 16:06.4, 63. Stacey Gustafson (Crosby-Ironton) 16:16.3, 66. Lesley Smebak (Roseau) 16:18.0, 109. Madie Heinrich (LOTW/RR) 16:46.5
(151 total runners)
Full results can be found at www.mshsl.org .
