Perham Girls Finish 2nd at Section 8A CC Meet

Oct 29, 2011

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.

SCORING SUMMARY:

8A Cross Country Championship
Bagley, MN
Girls Team Results (Top-2 Advance to State)
1. Park Rapids 47
2. Perham 50
3. Warroad 59
4. Pequot Lakes 121
5. Roseau 161
6. Staples-Motley 174
7. United North Central 175
8. W-DC 201
9. Pillager 232
10. Trek North 255
11. PR-B 302
12. Stephen-Argyle 318
13. Frazee 329
Medalist
Lydia Lutz (Park Rapids) 15:23
State Qualifiers
2. Gretta Brunelle (Warroad) 15:47; 3. Victoria Alexander (LOTW/RR) 15:53; 4. Emma Schmitz (WDC) 16:02; 6. Madeline Huglen (Roseau) 16:09; 8. Marissa Carlson (Bagley/Fosston) 16:19; 10. Susy Heppner (Warroad) 16:26.
Perham (Team Place)
4. Sydney Karels 16:02; 6. Cassie Beseman 16:15; 9. Brynnan Covington 16:33; 13.Lizzie Fudge 16:44; 18.Ciarrin Covington 17:00; 21. Racole Karels 17:08; 32. Mary Riestenberg 17:51.
Park Rapids (Team Place)
1. Lutz 15:23, 7.Shelby Pierce 16:23, 11. Summer Ellefson 16:40, 12. Megan Olson 16:40, 16. Lora Remus 16:53.
Frazee (Team Place)
57. Holly McCamant 19:13, 58.Charteena Hughes 19:16, 61.Morgan Laine 19:27, 75. Karie Halverson 21:08, 78. Taylor Wutzke 21:54.
(105 Individuals)

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)