Posted: 11/1/06
Section champions
Nick Rambergís first place finish shotguns Vikings into state meet
 The North Branch boys cross country team won the section by four points on Oct. 26. It was the first time the North Branch boys team has qualified for state since 1976. Pictured (l to r): front row;ÝBoyd Suparat, Ben Meemken, J.J Koerber, Ryan Norman, Cody Good. second row: Zach Good, Aaron Cedergren, Nick Ramberg, Brandon Nagle, Nick Salo, Mike Heidelberger. |
By Steve Morris
Itís been a drought ñ a 30- year drought to be exact.
For the first time since 1976, the North Branch boys cross country team will be running in the Minnesota State cross country meet.
At the section 7AA meet in Cloquet Oct. 26, the Vikings narrowly edged Duluth East by four points to earn the section title and a chance at a state crown Nov. 4 at St. Olaf college in Northfield.
The Vikings earned 70 points while the Duluth Greyhounds had 74 points. The last time a North Branch boys cross country team went to was 1976.
In 1976, the team won the region and placed third overall at the state meet. Kevin Benson was the highest placer at 17th.
Since then, they have had individuals qualify for state but not the team.
Senior Nick Ramberg won
the section outright, out-kicking sixth runners in the last 800 meters for the win.
Ramberg finished with a time of 16:52.
ìNick winning the race was huge for us,î assistant coach Brian Hasleiet said.
ìHe picked it up on the last stretch and saw he had an opportunity to win and seized it,î Hasleiet said.
Coming in second place overall was Erik Johnson of Duluth East, four seconds behind Ramberg with a time of 16:57.
For returning runners from last season, a state tournament appearance has special meaning. Last season the team placed third in section. (The top two teams in each section qualify for state.)
Head coach Ward Gilkerson, who couldnít make the section meet because of health problems, said he was ecstatic when he heard the news.
ìItís everything we could have hoped for,î he said. ìThey really put it all together,î he said.
Gilkerson said this group of kids stayed together for years and has truly become one unit. He went on to describe the teams unparalleled work ethic and focus.
Case in point: Senior Brandon Nagle shoe came off shortly into the race. He stayed focused and ran nearly the entire race with only one shoe on. The shoe didnít slow his time down at all.
ìWeíre going to go down there and do our best,î Gilkerson said.
BOYS RESULTS
Nick Ramberg 16:53 1st
J.J Koerber 17:15 12th
Ryan Norman 17:16 13th
Mike Heidelberger 17:30 17th
Brandon Nagle 17:55 27th
Cody Good 18:25 44th
Aaron Cedergren 18:33 50th
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