PHOTO FINISH
Gaels crowned champs; MNW freshman wins race
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GOWRIE -- Just like they did a season ago, the St. Edmond and Manson Northwest Webster cross country teams went runner-for-runner here Thursday night.
In the end, it was the 12th-ranked (Class 1A) Gaels claiming the overall title at the Southeast Valley Invitational held at the Gowrie Municipal Golf Course.
St. Edmond finished with 54 points, nine ahead of the No. 8 (1A) Cougars. West Central Valley was third followed by Perry, South Central Calhoun, Ogden, East Sac County and the host Jaguars.
"We knew it would be a dog-fight going in," SEHS head coach Mike Szalat said. "It's turned into a good little rivalry between us and I'm sure that is going to continue all year. Theo (Clark) does a great job coaching them and getting them better throughout the year, so that makes us get better."
All five counting runners for the Gaels placed in the Top-30, led by third place finisher Michaela Leiting and Hannah Landwehr, who was fourth. Reese Lemberg finished 12th, Ellie Knox 20th and Caroline Shelly was 27th overall.
"We preach to get stronger as the race goes on," Szalat said. "I'm not sure where Michaela and Hannah were at the mile, but they pulled that off perfectly. Honestly, all the girls ran that way."
Gracie Harvey earned 29th, Andee Barwin was 32nd for St. Edmond with Anna Kolacia placing 37th, Elly Berry 43rd and Jordyn Putney 66th.
For the Cougars, Alyssa Richman was the individual champion in 22:17.09, finishing just ahead of ACGC's Ava Campbell, who crossed home in 22:17.48. Richman is just a freshman.
Paige Condon was seventh, Preslie Oswald eighth and Abi Shannon 28th for Manson Northwest Webster.
"I knew from watching the middle school races that Alyssa was going to be a great addition," Szalat said. "For her to win her first race, that was awesome for her."
East Sac County's Emma Schroeder finished fifth overall with Breanne Patterson of South Central Calhoun earning 11th. Her teammate, Alexia Nelson, was 17th, while Schroeder's teammate, Kortni Thompson, finished 23rd.
For West Bend-Mallard, Lexi Welter was 26th. Southeast Valley's Chloe Parks placed 45th.
ACGC, which is ranked 10th in 1A, did not field a complete squad.