Members of the North Shore Storm girls’ cross country team include, from left, Kate Walsberg, Izzy Schottenbauer, Claire LaVigne, Cedar Gordon, Autumn Smith, Lamar Gordon, Brooklyn Smith and Anna Hay. The team finished second in the recent Eveleth Lions Invitational, only nine points behind firstplace Proctor. Photos courtesyTeresa Chmelik
The North Shore Storm boys’ cross country team is two for two in wins this year, this time taking top honors at the Eveleth Lions Invitational. The competition was held in Eveleth on Thursday, September 13.
Luke Olson of Eveleth won the 5k event in 17:05.6 Second place went to Cameron Stocke of Virginia, with North Shore Storm runners taking the next three positions: Noah Smith, 17:41.6. ; Will Surbaugh, 17:57.5; and Brenden Seipke, 17:57.5. Not far behind was Isaac Swanson in seventh place.
“Our fifth runner today was JC Holman,” said head coach April Wahlstrom. “JC has been striving to be on varsity for a long time, and it was fun to see him commit to his race and make it happen.”
Holman finished in 32nd place with a time of 19:38. Rounding out the varsity was Kevin Viren and Henry DeArruda-Weaver.
“It has been really fun to watch these two develop into such strong runners and competitors,” added coach Wahlstrom.
The boys’ team results were: North Shore 51, Ely 74, International Falls 107, Mountain Iron-Buhl 121, Moose Lake- Willow River/Barnum 153, Virginia 158, Deer River/Northland 192, Proctor 204, Lakeview Christian Academy 204, Wrenshall 241, Duluth Marshall 272, South Ridge 296, Mesabi East 311, Chisholm 314. Storm varsity girls place second
Running strong, Will Surbaugh was the second runner in for the North Shore Storm at the Eveleth Lions Invitational cross country meet. Will placed fourth overall to help the team win the meet. Photo courtesy of Teresa Chmelik
“The girls’ race proved to be exciting,” Wahlstrom said. “Proctor won but only by nine points. The Storm finished in second place, not a bad place to be at this point in the season.
“Not far behind us was Marshall followed by Mesabi East. Ava Hill from Mesabi East took out the field and was soon joined by Sydney Binsfield from Proctor. The two of them pulled the field along.
“Autumn Smith was our first runner, she came in fifth place with a 5-kilometer time of 21:34. Cedar Gordon was our second runner in 21:42 placing eighth. They were followed by teammates Lamar Gordon in 25th and Claire LaVigne in 27th places.
“Rounding out the varsity was a great pack of Malin Anderson in 31st with a time of 23:35, Louise Ramberg was 34th, and Kate Walsberg finished 35th place.” North Shore junior varsity girls
In the JV girls race, Wahlstrom said, “We won the JV competition. Our team was led by Izzy Schottenbauer who won the junior varsity division, followed by Brooklyn Smith in second place and the great pack of Robin Henrikson, Anna Hay, and Cecelia Chmelik finished 9th, 10th, and 11th.
“These girls have been pushing the varsity girls to get stronger and faster; their hard work has encouraged our top girls too.
“Other racers to highlight were Taylor Peppenger, Saira Smith, Sidni Hendren. These girls have really been pushing themselves lately, and it showed at Eveleth with their strong finishes.” North Shore junior varsity boys
“Our junior varsity boys finished in second place behind Ely. Tate Crawford led our crew with a third-place finish and a time of 22:19,” said Wahlstrom.
“Crawford was followed by Chance Hanel, Tanner DeBoer, Jonah Schmidt, Trent Spry and Riley Tarver, who have all improved greatly over the past few seasons and weeks.” North Shore junior high
Not to be outdone, Coach Wahlstrom said the North Shore’s junior high runners also had a great showing.
“Brayden Schmidt led our crew with ease and the fact that the lead cart driver took a wrong turn causing the kids to run an extra half mile didn’t seem to faze Schmidt one bit. Schmidt finished in 11th place with a time of 13:46.
“ Lizzy Dover and Kylie Viren led our girls’ junior high runners. Viren has shaved minutes off of her times from last year, which has been fun to watch.”
This Saturday, September 22, the North Shore Storm will attend the Milaca Mega Meet. Their next home meet will be the Polar Conference championships held October 10 at Pincushion Mountain. The meet will start at 1 p.m. Come out and cheer on the North Shore Storm!
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