By Steve Morris

At the campus of St. Olaf College in Northfield, the North Branch boys cross country team ran their final race of the season in front of hundreds of people at the state high school cross country meet Nov. 4.

When everything was said and done, the boys finished in 13th place out 16 teams, earning 312 points.

Elite high school distance runners jumped out of the gate early and kept a strong pace throughout while the North Branch boys followed.

Senior J.J. Koerber, who competed in the state track meet last spring, said his state track experience was a help in the race.

"It was a big accomplishment to get here. We've been planning this since our freshmen year," Koerber said. "We weren't expected to do well so we just wanted to come out and run our hardest."

Even though coach Gilkerson couldn't attend the race in person, he was at the race in spirit.

"We dedicate this to Henrey (Gilkerson)" Brandon Nagle said.

Sophomore Ryan Norman said he was happy to have had the opportunity to run with such a great group of seniors.

"I couldn't have gone to state with a better group of guys," he said.

The team is graduating six seniors.

Nick Ramberg ran a strong race, leading the team and finished in 61st place overall.

Wilmar won the double AA team race, placing three runners in the top 10 and ending with an amazingly low score of 41.

Senior Hassan Mead of Minneapolis South won the double AA boys race with a record time of 15:10.7.

North Branch assistant coach Doniver Ahlm said his team competed nicely and they ran their race.

"It's about the nicest gentlemen you can run into. They're truly nice athletes, and you hate to see the seniors leave, but I know they are going to have a successful track season," Ahlm said.