Six Viking cross country runners earned all-conference honors at the Polar League Championship at Pincushion Trails on Thursday, October 14. Ailee Larson led the pack of Viking varsity girls. Larson matched the tough pace of the Esko runners and garnered a third place finish in 15:55.
We always enjoy returning home to run cross-country on the Pincushion Trails overlooking Grand Marais and Lake Superior. Although Pincushion is the toughest, hilliest course we race, the home crowd is great and the opportunity to train and race at Pincushion gives us a little home course advantage. This year was even better, as the weather was perfect fall running weather – sunny, 60s and a light breeze. This year’s Polar League Championships included 135 runners, representing Esko, Moose Lake/ Barnum, Carlton, McGregor, Cromwell/Floodwood and Wrenshall. The Eskimos were big favorites for the meet, with both boys’ and girls’ teams rated in the top 10 in the state, and Marissa Shady and Jackson Lindquist of Esko each rated in the top 10 individuals in the state. The Vikings were expected to provide the strongest challenge to the Esko teams, and team leaders Kieran Scannell and Ailee Larson are capable of running with their best.
First was the junior high race. We temporarily moved seventh grader Matea Acero down from varsity to try for the win in the girls’ race. Cromwell elected to run their three young varsity racers in the junior high race too, so she had her hands full. Matea managed to defeat two of the three Cromwell girls, earning 2nd place in an excellent time of 11:16 for the 1.6-mile race. Ava McMillan also earned a Polar League medal finishing 8th in 12:41, while sixth grader Julia Larsen earned cheers by finishing her first race with a smile and a sprint.
Cheyenne Sorlie looked strong and finished well in 19:09 capturing 13th place.
Our large boys’ junior high team, led by seventh grader Pete Summers, matched up well with Esko, winning the team title 26-32. Pete was third in 10:12, Nate Carlson sixth in 10:49, and Will Seaton seventh in 10:50, all medal winning performances. A short distance back, Roman Schnobrich, Sean MacDonell, Fletcher Kasell and Owen Cruikshank all contributed to the team score, running 12:06, 12:14, 12:43 and 13:35 respectively.
The buzz in the crowd, stirred up by a couple of high school musicians with cymbals, picked up noticeably for the boys’ varsity race. Jackson, a junior and Kieran a sophomore, have a long history of racing, including Kieran’s close wins at Section 7 in track and cross country last year, and Jackson’s lead at Swain two weeks ago. Overall, they have a very even record, with Jackson usually successful when he gets away, and Kieran stronger coming from behind. At the gun, the entire pack took off at high speed, with the favorites near the lead. Coming by for the first of four ¾ mile loops, Kieran had uncharacteristically opened up a 20-yard lead. Meanwhile, Josh Ensign and David Bergstrom were in the middle of a sea of Esko runners, with the Viking pack of Ben Seaton, Darren Waha, Daniel Ahrendt and Joey Chmelik doing a nice piece of team running just outside the top 10.
Coming back into the stadium area, Kieran had opened up a 60-yard lead, and Jackson appeared to be giving up the fight. By the end, Kieran had opened up a gap of almost 400 yards, breaking Jackson’s course record by 15 seconds, running 16:59. Josh and David earned all-conference honors placing sixth and seventh respectively in 18:35 and 18:49, bests for both on the home course. Ben led Darren, Daniel and Joey in a minute and a half later, as they ran 20:07, 20:22, 20:26 and 20:44 respectively, placing 13th, 14th, 15th and 17th. As expected, Esko led the team scoring 24-37 with Moose Lake a distant third with 85.
The girls’ varsity race had a special drama for us. Shelby Ahrendt, our No. 3 runner, really wanted to race for the team at this Polar League meet. She also had a Section 7 tennis match in Virginia early in the morning. After completing the match, she headed home immediately. We were in regular cell phone contact with her, as she arrived less than 10 minutes before the start, a very stressful ride. With help from her teammates, she composed herself, got in a short warm-up, and headed to the line. At the gun, Esko’s very strong girls’ team immediately took the lead, with only the Vikings’ Ailee Larson able to match the pace. Ailee hung tough and used her superior speed to finish third in 15:55. Meanwhile Anna Schield kept up her trademark steady pace and moved up through the field to earn a sixth place all conference finish in 16:54. All the while, Shelby actually looked pretty good and was rewarded with the 10th place all conference medal, running 18:20. Just a little farther back, Audrey Summers led Cheyenne Sorlie, Kara Ramey and Sara Schield as they placed 12th-15th in 18:55, 19:09, 19:48 and 20:08 respectively, all very good times for the 2.5 mile course. Although Esko won the team competition 19-39, the girls broke up the sweep, and showed a lot of good racing for the fans.
In the junior varsity races, Drew Christiansen earned a second place medal running 21:14 for the 5-kilometer race. Alex Ditmanson was next, placing sixth in 22:18. Football player and track teammate Levi Axtell showed he was in good shape running 22:26, followed by Daniel Ditmanson in 23:50, Sebastian Schnobrich in 24:04 and Karl Ingebrigtsen in 24:35, personal bests for Seb and Karl. Esko won the team title 25-32 over the Vikings.
The Viking JV girls dominated the competition, led by Katrina Axtell’s 20:48 3rd place, Sarissa Falk in 20:49, Amber Todd 20:49+, Maggie McMillan 20:50, Mara MacDonell 20:53, Rachel Todd 20:53+ and Bailey Morrison 24:21. All seven of the girls had their best race of the season.
Way to go, Vikings!
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