Repeat LFC Squad Runs at State

Getting to state is always good. How you fare there can be just an anecdote. A season ago, LFC’s girls, in their first ever state cross country meet, finished ninth. This season, they dropped down a bit, to 11th (of 16). They were a bit faster as a team (1:44:20.7 from the top five, versus 1:44:53.7 a year ago). The Burros two seniors, who’ve put together excellent running careers, went out on high. Kiera Olson, in her third C-C state meet, posted her best ever finish. Ms. Heisman-nominee led LFC, taking 31st overall (14th among team competitors) of a 176-gal field. She ran her second best time of the season (19:55.3), the past two years. Olson posted a 65th overall finish a year ago, 66th overall as a frosh in 2013. Over the past two years, she’s recorded 14 top ten finishes (two firsts, three seconds, two thirds). Fellow senior Leah Ruen got some redemption for last year’s (non-team-scoring) 139th overall finish. The elder Ruen was LFC’s second runner, taking 80th overall with her third best time of the season (20:38.0). She’s posted 13 top ten finishes the past two years with three seconds. LFC’s third runner, Emily Snyder was also strong, posting her second best time of the year (20:49.1 > 94th). Kaylee Arndt (137th), Maddie Smith (138th), Ashley Miner (141st), and Bailey Ruen (159th) rounded out the Burro running-crew. LFC (257) did get a little section revenge, as they topped 1A champ Lake City. The Tigers (273) finished in 12th place right after the Burros. Fairmont (84), who finished 5th last year, beat out defending champ Perham (86) for the 2016 girls team title. Annandale (3rd > 127) and Luverne (4th > 148) each repeated finishing in the top five. Math and Science Academy’s Tierney Wolfgram (18:23.6) was the girls champ, as last year’s 1st place Phenom, Cotter’s Grace Ping (17:52.0), moved elsewhere. Section 1A’s top finisher (6th overall) was Kayla Christopherson from Austin-Pacelli. The 5000-meter event was held at St. Olaf College in Northfield.