“On day one of practice I told the kids we are focused on two races this year, conference and sections,” said OTC Head Coach Brady Speicher. “We knew that in order to accomplish the goal we set of winning conference it would mean training through many meets during the regular season to be ready to go for today. The teams showed today that they trusted the process and were able to walk away with impressive finishes.”

The boys’ race ended with just a 6 point difference with the Bulldogs edging out A-B-E. Leading the way for the Bulldogs once again was Isaac Scherfenberg who finished 3rd overall. Blake Alonzo was also all-conference with his 7th place finish. Nick Carter, Kale Misegades and Peter Newark were second team all-conference with their 11th, 13th, and 19th place finishes. Isaac Hallberg and Noah Mansket rounded out the top 7 placing 32nd and 36th.

“I’m proud of the boys and the way they fought all the way until the end of the race,” said Coach Speicher. “Our team is made up of four first year runners and three returners so for them to be able to gel together and learn how to compete as the season went on was awesome. It was a great battle with A-B-E who is a good team and the competition out on the course was just exciting to see.”

Ashby-Brandon-Evansville Head Coach Robert Bosma said, “We knew going into this meet that it would probably come down to us and OTC for the conference championship. I had stressed it at practice and our motto for the race was to catch red. The race didn't disappoint as it was a battle from the start. Normally, we have a pack of A-B-E runners using each other to push forward, but tonight they seemed to all pair up with an OTC runner and it was a battle throughout. Watching the finishes, we knew it was going to be how the other races and times filled in. We have to credit OTC for running a great race.”

Hunter Norby (5th place) and Micah Fossell (10th place) are All-conference runners and Wes Siira (12th place), Matson Hoff (15th place), Jaiden Hoidahl (17th place), and Logan Froemming (18th place) were honorable mention.

In the girls heat the Bulldogs placed 1-7 but once the results were compiled with the early heats Wadena ended up in first place with 25 points and the Bulldogs took second with 61.

“The girls ran really well today, and it was fun to see them dominate their heat,” noted Speicher. “These girls have had absolutely everything thrown at them this year from a canceled volleyball season that made five of our top seven to go out for XC to starting volleyball two week ago. I’m very proud to see them stick it out and have success.”

Faith Fisher led the way with a 7th place finish followed closely behind by Ady Tysdal in 10th. Laney Frost took 12th, Ky Shebeck was 14th and Grace VanErp rounded out the scoring positions in 17th. Ericka Heibel and Becca Johnson finished 20th and 22nd.

“Our girls wanted to have a strong start tonight and every one of them started how we wanted,” said Coach Bosma of A-B-E.  “Since we ran there a couple weeks ago, they felt they knew the course and knew what to expect. The final hill is not particularly steep, but it is long and can be a mental hurdle. However, our girls ran great and had strong finishes. This was the first time we have fielded a team to score and it was great to see how the girls stepped up. This should be a great confidence boost going into Sections next Thursday.  Knowing how far this program has come in 4 short years, I cannot be more proud of the competitive edge of all the runners tonight. They all (boys and girls alike) ran strong races.”

Full Results https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=224647

Sections will be next week with the boys running on Tuesday in Long Prairie and the girls on Thursday in New London Spicer.