Josh Thorson (far left in blue) with his team and Chris Solinsky (center)
Josh Thorson
Wayzata HS
2012
Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?
15:44 at Sections (5k)
Tell us how your training is going?
So far it's been really well. I've upped my mileage by a little over a hundred miles this summer over the past few years which I'm hoping will pay off later in the season. I've also been able to avoid any injuries which is always good.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
As far as the team goes, I can't deny that I'm hoping for another State Championship. They guys are all working hard (even though many of them are pretty young) and so I don't see why we can't have our goals high. After State I'd love for our team to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals once again.
Individually I'd like to at the very least challenge for the State Championship but I think as long as I bring a low card back for my team I'll be fairly satisfied. At Nike Cross Regionals I'd like to place in the top five and guarantee a spot for Nationals. Time wise I"m hoping to break 15:30.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I started running in seventh grade with our middle school program. At Wayzata we have great coaches from middle school to high school and Coach O'Neill and Coach Bartels both know how to train young runners without burning them out.
Will you be competing out of state this season?
Yes, we will be running in the Marshfield Colombus Invitational in Marshfield, WI, the Heartland Invitational in Ames, IA, the NXN Regional in Sioux Falls, SD and I may compete individually in the Footlocker Regional in Kenosha, WI.
Hopefully we will qualify for Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, OR.
Favorite course to run in Minnesota?
Gale Woods, the closest thing to a "home course" that we have. It's a dedicated cross country course with plenty of hills.
Toughest course in Minnesota?
It used to be the Swain Invitational course in Duluth but unfortunately they've adjusted the course to be more spectator friendly and took out many hills. It used to be that most people would expect to be thirty seconds to a minute off their PR's on the course because of the long and massive hills.
Now it might be the Griak Invitational course on the U of M golf course. There aren't any truly massive hills but because of steepness of both the up-hillls and the downhills it's hard to get into a rhythm (not to mention there are 500 other runners to wind through).
Favorite Cross Country race so far in your high school career?
I think it would be the Marshfield Invitational my sophomore year. It wasn't the fastest time or most important race but the race developed in such a fun way that I really enjoyed it.
Basically two runners who weren't from Wayzata took off right from the gun must have gone through the first kilometer under three minutes. Me and my teammate Landon Lozano slowly reeled them in until finally catching the leader with one kilometer to go. From there we splashed through the water pit and I ended up running a fairly fast final K to win. I'm also fairly positive our team set the meet record for lowest score (21).
Favorite Cross Country memory?
Nationals in general is pretty hard to beat but last year we were on our cooldown, running around on the horse track in just our shorts in the forty degree weather and then finding out that we had finally cracked the top ten (we placed Ninth as a team) then just sprinting and yelling and doing somersaults down the "woop-di-doos".
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
I've really enjoyed redesigning our school newspaper this year. I've probably spent fifteen to twenty hours over the summer just working on that.
I also like juggling, though with running it's been pushed aside a bit.
Favorite quote?
"To win without risk is to triumph without glory."
-Pierre Cornielle
Maria Hauger
Shakopee Senior HS
2013
Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?
5K 17:24 MHI
4k 14:09 Red Wing Invitational
Tell us how your training is going?
I’ve increased my mileage this summer. I ran several 5k and 10Ks and my times are going down. I did a lot of strength training. I also ran JO track this summer and won the 3000m National JO Championship and took 3rd in 1500m for young women 17-18 age group.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Three-peat as state champion and break the state meet record. I want to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals and Footlocker Nationals.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I started running track in 7th grade and joined CC in 8th grade. I actually started running to help me in soccer and hockey.
Will you be competing out of state this season?
I plan to run in Nike Cross Regionals in South Dakota and hopefully Nationals again in Oregon. I also plan to run Footlocker Midwest Regionals in Wisconsin and hopefully FL Nationals in California.
Favorite course to run in Minnesota?
I like the state meet course at St. Olaf because I have had success at the course. It offers a variety of terrain.
Toughest course in Minnesota?
I don’t like the Chaska Par 30 Course because the course is so soft and it feels like a bog.
Favorite Cross Country race so far in your high school career?
Last year’s state cross country meet when I won by 18 seconds.
Favorite Cross Country memory?
Winning back to back state titles last year. It was special as this was the 3rd year my team made it to state with me. Cross country is so fun because we do so many fun team things together.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
I love to strength train.
I like Nordic skiing. I am also very good at baking. I make my own bread and muffins.
Favorite quote?
“Too many people fail because they give up what they want most for what they want in the moment”.
Tom Linner
Stillwater HS
2012
Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?
5k- 15:30 SEC Conference Meet
Tell us how your training is going?
Great, our team is looking stellar and extremely deep this year. We also had a nice team training trip out in Wyoming and North Dakota, and the turn out for summer practices has been awesome. As for myself, I've had a little bout tendonitis, but I'm nearly back to 100%.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Team State Championship.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I've been running since seventh grade. I had played soccer and baseball before but I was mainly good at those sports because I could run pretty quick. So in seventh grade I just thought to myself, why don't I just get rid of all this equipment and just do what I'm good at, running.
Will you be competing out of state this season?
Yes, we have a early season meet in Marshfield Wi, then post season we will be going to NXN, in Souix Falls. It's always fun to get out there and compete against some different teams.
Favorite course to run in Minnesota?
Milaca, the crowd is always giant and supportive, it's pretty fast, and has a nice long low grade uphill to the finish.
Toughest course in Minnesota?
The Section 4AA meet at Les Bolstad golf course, I can't remember a time in that race where I wasn't going up or down a hill.
Favorite Cross Country race so far in your high school career?
Conference meet 2010, the first mile the whole front pack was jabbering especially Matty Meuwissen, then at the end there were a few lead changes with the next person always upping the pace, I drove it in hard to the finish, and finished with a big PR and a victory.
Favorite Cross Country memory?
Conference meet 2009, in the previous weeks, everything seemed to be going wrong with the team, then we ended up going 2-3-4-10-11 to win by 39 points. Right after that, our jv went out and threw down a 15 point preformance, it was icing on the cake.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
I really like to cook.
Favorite quote?
"I don't control life, but I can control how I react to it."
Zach Roozen
Moundsview HS
2012
Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?
15:32, falcon ridge Golf course, sections, 2010
Tell us how your training is going?
This year I feel the strongest And toughest that I have ever been. I trained over 400 miles, combining long easy mileage with fast, workout based runs. I Have a great base built, now its time to sharpen and prepare to race for the season with Moundsviews talented coaching staff.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
This season I have three goals which our to drop my 5k Pb by atleast 20 seconds, Help get my team into the state meet, And of course go for the individual MN State title.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
In Elementary school and middle school most of the students hated running the mile for gym class, I however loved it. My 7th grade year I ran a 5:15 mile with no training and the captain of Moundsviews team at the time happened to be my neighbor who suggested I talk to the coach about running for the Highschool. I was scared out of my mind but decided that I would give him a call, and I ended up joining the Highchool year my 8th grade season. I have been training 5 years for my senior season.
Will you be competing out of state this season?
So far this season I do not have any out of state races set up, however, I plan on looking into adding post season races after focusing on my high school season.
Favorite course to run in Minnesota?
My favorite course to compete on is Falcon Ridge, where we race our conference course. The meet is well run and everyone comes to compete hard for fast times. Its also a taste of what the competition will look like in the state meet, as many of the top teams and individuals come to compete for all conference honors.
Toughest course in Minnesota?
I would have to say the Swain invitational in Duluth’s Enger park. This course Was at one time one of the largest meets in the country and Has what I believe to be some of the hardest terrain In the state. Set in The heart of Duluth the course Is Mostly climbing two giant hills to the top of the bluffs and fighting rolling foothills on the way down to the finish.
Favorite Cross Country race so far in your high school career?
My favorite races of all time so far our the confrence race at falcon ridge where my Pb still currently stands, and the following week at sections placing second to move on to the state meet.
Favorite Cross Country memory?
I have too many, but a few of my favorites so far are: seeing my team win meets, White water training camp, the feeling you get when you get a big pb, out kicking the competition, and preparing for the 2011 season would be a few.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
When I'm not running I enjoy acting, swimming, and hanging out with my friends.
Favorite quote?
"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall" ~ Confucius
Brandon Clark
The Blake School
2012
Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?
I ran a 15:44 at the Nike Heartland Regional race last fall (5k).
Tell us how your training is going?
It’s going pretty well; I’m still building up the miles. My training is entirely aerobic and during the off-season I will build miles slowly with a tempo run on Tuesdays and long runs on Saturday. With recruiting picking up post July 1st, I had the chance to run in other cities, which was a lot of fun.
I trained in Boulder for two weeks this past summer. My neighbor, senior Kieran Kelly (runs for Chanhassen High School and should be an All State Class AA runner this season) joined me for a week. We ended the two weeks with a long run on Magnolia
Road (the run is very hilly at 9,000 ft of altitude).
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Most important is our team goal of winning the State meet. It would be great to win a team title in my last year with my co-captains Owen Duncan and Matt McFarland. We finally have depth, with Zach Edinburgh, Quinn Coyle, Thomas McManus, Danny
Smith, Alex Herkert, Joe Gould, and Danny Levin.
Personally, my goals are to win the Griak Invitational, the State Championship, and qualify for either Nike or Foot Locker Nationals.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t running, but I started competitively the summer before 6th Grade running AAU and USATF meets with Track Minnesota.
Will you be competing out of state this season?
Not during the High-School season, but I plan on running the Nike and Foot Locker regionals and hopefully the National races.
Favorite course to run in Minnesota?
The Griak Invitational’s course; it’s never flat and always muddy. You can never feel alone out there with 500 other runners with you and even more fans surrounding the entirety of the course.
Toughest course in Minnesota?
The Griak’s course; they can’t possibly put any more hills on that course and I love the challenge of it. The Swain Invitational’s in Duluth is a close second.
Favorite Cross Country race so far in your high school career?
I don’t have one favorite race in particular, but the following come to mind:
• 2010 Nike Heartland Regional Race – Racing for the top seven was fun on a a different course with hay bails and drastic speed bumps. The crowd seems large because it is spectator friendly.
• 2010 Swain Invitational – Site of my first cross country win. Racing against Mason Ferlic made for quite a few second places.
• 2010 Griak Invitational – The crowd was loud and it was a fast race.
Favorite Cross Country memory?
Winning State my Freshman Year in 2008. It was our first cross-country State Title and we set the goal of winning State after ending the previous season on a tough note (not qualifying for State, even though we had 3 State qualifiers). We trained
together for a year, all winter and summer.
I don’t recall liking my race personally but it’s more important and more fun to win a race that big with eight other guys than doing it on my own. After the race, the results were close and I can still remember to this day, Jake Brown of
Minnehaha Academy running up to us in the Field House congratulating our team on winning the title.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
Hanging out with friends and watching sports.
Favorite quote?
"Do or do not, there is no try." - Yoda
Erica Seidenkranz
Monticello HS
2012
Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?
My best time is 14:15 at Dundee Invite-Park Center. My second best time is 14:25 at the Milaca Mega Meet, which broke the course and meet record.
Tell us how your training is going?
My summer training is going very well, I have done a variety of things to prepare for this upcoming season. From long distance runs, to quarter repeats, I've tried to do it all this summer. I also weightlifted again as part of my training.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
My goals are to run a PR and win Conference for the 4th straight year. State-wise, a goal of mine is to get Top 3 or 4 at the State Meet. Also, for my team to get Top 2 at the State Meet.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I have been running Cross Country and Track and Field on the Varsity team since 7th grade, so this will be my 6th season/year. I got started by just going on some runs with my soccer team the summer before 7th grade and I found them pretty easy, so I thought maybe Cross Country and running would be fun. I joined Cross Country that fall and it took off from there.
Will you be competing out of state this season?
I will be competing at the NXN Regionals in South Dakota this season.
Favorite course to run in Minnesota?
My favorite course to run is the Shakopee Invite course.
Toughest course in Minnesota?
Out of the courses I have run on, I would say the toughest was Detroit Lakes. It's very hilly and has one huge monster hill.
Favorite Cross Country race so far in your high school career?
My favorite cross country race so far is the Milaca Mega Meet. It's really cool to run against so many teams and such high competition. It's a very fun meet.
Favorite Cross Country memory?
Finding and collecting golf balls left on the course with my teammates.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
Play soccer, hang out with my sister Amber, and eat :)
Favorite quote?
"Running= 100% Self Motivation and Pure Dedication" -unknown author
Amber Seidenkranz
Monticello HS
2014
Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?
Our races are 4k or 2.5 miles, but my best time in a 4k race is 14:19.
Tell us how your training is going?
My summer training has gone great. I have done a variety of different workouts that I think will be very beneficial to my season.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Some of my goals this season are to place high at every meet, push myself past my limits, and do my best.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I have been running cross country and track for 3 years and this will be my fourth. I got started running from mostly my parents who wanted me to try the sport since they were runners themselves. My sister, Erica, was in cross country already for almost two years, so I decided to try cross country to see if I liked it and I ended up loving it.
Will you be competing out of state this season?
I will be competing in Souix Falls for Nike Cross Regionals.
Favorite course to run in Minnesota?
I really like the course in Little Falls where we had sections about two years. The course is mostly flat but has one giant hill.
Toughest course in Minnesota?
The course in Fergus Falls is very tough because it is basically all hills.
Favorite Cross Country race so far in your high school career?
My first state appearance is my favorite cross country race because I surprised myself with what I could accomplish.
Favorite Cross Country memory?
I have many memories from cross country but my favorite would have to be hanging out with my team everyday because they make everything more fun.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
I love to go camping and being outside with my friends and family.
Favorite quote?
"Work hard for dreams...for you fulfill them."
Elena Danielson
Cathedral HS
2013
Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?
5K PR - 18:38 at Footlocker Midwest
Most races in MN are 4Ks. My best 4K time is 14:31 at the St. Cloud Tech Invite.
Tell us how your training is going?
Not exactly how I was hoping it would. It's been a lot of lap swimming! Only about 2 weeks after the track season I started to feel pain in my knee. I tried to run through it and for a while wasn't sure what was wrong but I ended up having to take 3 whole weeks off from running and wear a brace on my leg to keep it straight. I am slowly getting back into running now but have kept up a lot of swimming to get some good workouts in.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Right now, I just want to focus on getting back into racing shape again. I'm hoping to be able to achieve All-State honors again and help our team to the state team title.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
My whole family is into running. My parents used to bring my sisters and me to road races to watch them and we'd compete in the kid runs when they had them. I ran my first 5k when I was in 5th grade. I really loved racing so it was obvious to me that I should join cross country and track in 7th grade.
Will you be competing out of state this season?
We are planning on bringing a team to compete at the Nike Heartland Regionals again this year. I would also love to go back to the Footlocker Midwest regionals in Kenosha again.
Favorite course to run in Minnesota?
Probably the State meet course at St. Olaf. I really like how the course disappears into the woods for a while so it's just you and your competitors but then for the finish it's back out in the open and everyone is cheering. It's always such a rush to run at such a big meet against some of the best in the state!
Toughest course in Minnesota?
My least favorite course is definently the Sauk Rapids invite. It's usually our second meet of the year so it's always very hot and there's no shade. The course is almost all gravel so we can't wear spikes.
Favorite Cross Country race so far in your high school career?
I think the Milaca Mega Meet last year. I really surprised myself at that race. I came into it hoping to get top 5 and break 15 minutes for the 4K and I ended up winning it with a time of 14:33. That's the race when I realized I really could be one of the best in the state.
Favorite Cross Country memory?
Bus rides with the team
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
Hanging out with my teammates
Favorite quote?
Not exactly a quote, but I love the song "Stand" by Rascal Flatts. It always inspires me