Perham Girls Finish 2nd at Section 8A CC Meet

By John George | www.lakesareasports.com  - Bagley, MN

The Perham girls cross country team finished in 2nd place at the Section 8A Meet on Friday in Bagley. They will appear in their 8th straight State Meet. (John George photo)

The No. 12-A Perham girls cross country team qualified for their 8^th straight State Meet Friday with a 2^nd place finish at the Section 8A Championship on Bagley’s Twin Pine Golf Course.

Park Rapids, ranked No. 11, was the Section 8A champ in what was a very odd race.  The 4-wheeler that directs the runners around the course, went off course.  After all was said and done, it’s estimated that after the course correction mid-race, the girls ran about 30 meters past the 4K mark.

“I knew something was wrong,” Perham senior Cassie Beseman said.  “I’ve raced on this course 3 times and pre-ran it once.  I was wondering why all the fans and people were in my way on the course.  Then the 4-wheeler and lead girls turned off.  I wasn’t sure what to do at first, so I followed them.”

“It’s very unfortunate, but what can you do?” Region 8A administrator Dale Skallerud said.  It was to far into the race to stop and restart.  All but 4 runners followed the 4-wheeler, so they all ran the same race.  The driver goofed up.  Everybody goofs up.  What can you do?  Oh well.  We move on.”

For Perham, it affected course strategy a bit, but wasn’t a major factor in their finish.

Lydia Lutz, a senior from Park Rapids ranked No. 6 in Class A, was the Section 8A Medalist with a time of 15:23. 

The Jackets were led by 8^th grader Sydney Karels, who finished 5^th overall, and 4^th among team runners with a time of 16:02.  Beseman, the lone senior on either Perham’s girl’s or boy’s teams, finished 7^th overall (6^th team) in 16:15.  Seventh grader Brynnan Covington was the team’s 3^rd runner, finishing 11^th overall (9^th team) in 16:33.  Lizzie Fudge was next (15^th overall, 13^th team—16:44), followed by Ciarrin Covington as the final scoring runner (21^st overall, 18^th team—17:00).

“I’m really happy with how the girls did,” head coach Jeff Morris said.  “I think they have the potential to be top-8 at State.”

The State Cross Country Meet will be Saturday, Nov. 5 in Northfield at St. Olaf College.  The Class A Girl’s Race will be at 1 p.m.