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Very few people have the ability to predict the future. Evidentally, Ken Orwoll is one of them.

“I think our boys squad is going to be one of the front runners in the conference,” explained Orwoll before the season even started.

“We have the athletes,” Orwoll continued. “I think our top five or six runners have the potential to really do well at conference.”

Fast forward to present. Last Thursday, the Chisago Lakes boys cross country team did win the conference, and their top five runners did do well, all finishing in the top 25, good enough for All-Conference honors. Don’t be surprised if Orwoll flies out to Las Vegas this weekend, trying his psychic skills on the national scene.

“Big Lake thought they would sneak in but it wasn’t enough,” commented Orwoll. “I was a little worried because I saw three of their guys close, but our guys ran well all the way to the end.”

If running well means placing four runners in the top 17, than he’s right on. John Leaf topped the group, crossing the finish line in just over 17 minutes, good enough for third overall. Directly behind him Ben Dery who finished fourth. The top 15 finisher’s were named All-Conference.

Greg Stignani and Dan Brelje also added to their trophy case by running 16 and 17. Freshman Zach Hunter rounded out the top five with a 22 place performance. Stignani, Brelje, and Hunter were all named All-Conference Honorable Mention.

“It was a better spread up top than what I expected,” said Orwoll. “You always hope to win the thing. I knew if we got four guys up there we would have a shot. Overall, I was really impressed, especially with Hunter. He ran the race of his life.”

At least to this point. Hunter and the rest of the ‘Cats can’t help but to think about the future. Of the top five Wildcat finisher’s last Thursday, only one was a senior. The other four will be back.

While Orwoll walked away happy after the boys race, the girls run was a different story.

After starting with seven runners, three had to drop out during the race, giving the Wildcats an incomplete for the meet.

“We started with seven runners but Emmy Wold had a stress fracture on the top of her foot. She ran about a half of mile and just couldn’t go anymore. That was tough for her because I know she would’ve been All-Conference. Then, Crystal Reynolds had trouble breathing so she had to pull out. They were some pretty gutsy performances by those two but it just wasn’t enough.”

Makayla Grote led the Wildcats, finishing 37 with a time of 19:25. Ashley Wilke followed in 44 place while Kelsey Campbell and Kirsten Ruser finished 47 and 48 respectively.

Rum River Conference Cross Country Meet

Boys Results:

Team-

1. Chisago Lakes 61

2. Big Lake 77

3. Mora 97

4. North Branch 98

5. Pine City 100

6. STMA 102

7. Princeton 149

8. Milaca 178

9. Foley INC

Girls Results:

Team-

1. Big Lake 19

2. Pine City 85

3. STMA 89

4. North Branch 94

5. Princeton 122

6. Mora 128

7. Milaca 157

8. Chisago Lakes INC

9. Foley INC

Individual Results:

(CL Only)-

Boys-

*4. John Leaf 17:02

*5. Ben Dery 17:12

#16. Greg Stignani 17:47

#17. Dan Brelje 17:48

#22. Zach Hunter 18:15

42. Erik Lee 19:20

43. Mike Golv 19:20

*All-Conference

#All-Conference Honorable Mention

Girls-

37. Makayla Grote 19:25

44. Ashley Wilke 20:15

47. Kelsey Campbell 21:17

48. Kirsten Ruser 22:00

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