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By Cynthia Scott
North Branch takes its talented cross country squad to the sectional meet in Cloquet on Thursday, and Coach Ward Gilkerson expects some of his runners to qualify for the state meet.
Itís a realistic expectation. The Viking girls varsity won the Rum River conference meet at Princeton on Oct. 14 and the boys team placed second. In addition, 4 girls and 2 boys were named to the all-conference team with 5 others receiving honorable mentions.
It all adds up not only to great expectations at sectionals, but also to an enjoyable season overall.
ìWe have the best numbers participating in many years and have had very good team and individual success as evidenced by our conference meet results,î said Coach Ward Gilkerson.
One pleasant surprise this year has been the performance of 7th grader Haley Hasleiet.
The diminutive Hasleiet, who placed 2nd in the conference meet, began the season running on the 7th-8th grade 2000 meter team. Her strong showings earned her a spot on the 4000 meter 9th grade team for the September 21 meet at Hudson, Wis., where she placed 1st with a time that was competitive with top finishers in the varsity competition. She has been running varsity ever since.
Hasleiet, Miranda Charley, Rachel Souther and Amanda Peterson, all of whom were named all-conference, have had strong performances all year and should do well in sectionals. All conference honorable mentions Aileen Shanley and Tiffany Peterson are capable of notable performances as well.
The boys varsity team boasts several runners who are likely to do well at sectionals. All-conference team members Nick Ramberg and J.J. Koerber have been the nucleus of the team, with consistently strong performances all year long. The balance of the teamóNick Sausen, Brandon Nagle, Mitch Pohlkamp, Aaron Cedergren and Cody Goodóhave not been as consistent, but each has turned in impressive performances. Nagle, Cedergren and Pohlkamp received honorable mentions at the conference meet.
The sectional final will be held on Oct. 28 beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the Cloquet Country Club in Cloquet.
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