Girl runners are champs
One-by-one the Camden Conference runners came into the chute — and as they filed it, almost all of them were Canby/Minneota runners.
When the chill of the day was cleared from their lungs, the local girls had their first five girls finish in the top nine.
“What a great night for a race ... a bit windy and cold but ultimately a great night! I’m so proud of each of our runners. They all ran great races and ended the regular season well,” said Coach Allyson Pesek.
As expected, Grace Drietz was at the head of the class, running a 19:37 — nearly a minute ahead of second place Anika Fernholz of Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd.
“It was nice to see Grace today. She has not been feeling well, but she had a good race today,” said Coach Pesek.
After Drietz finished the race, Braelyn Merritt was close behind in third, McKenzie Ruether in fourth, Faith Traen in sixth and eighth grader Claire Stoks in ninth.
Canby/Minneota won the conference title by 11 points — 33-22 over Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd. Because the top 10 runners are named all-conference, all five of the Canby/Minneota girls’ were named to the all-conference team.
“The girls are the Camden Conference Champions. This is Canby/Minneota’s first time beating LQPV-DB for the Girl’s Conference Championship since 2012,” said Coach Pesek.
“I am so proud of these runners,” said Pesek. “It was a great night for Canby/Minneota,” she said.
The boys finished second to Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd, with Blake Stoks taking seventh and earning all-conference honors.