November 11, 2004 at 8:16 a.m.
Just the first of many for Ramberg, Hasleiet
Just the first of many for Ramberg, Hasleiet
Why the fuss? Consider that the North Branch cross country team graduates only four runners from this year’s squad, meaning that most of the 2004 girls Rum River conference championship team will be back along with the majority of the boys. Among them will be Nick Ramberg and Haley Hasleiet, who capped off their 2004 season with solid runs at the Minnesota state cross country meet last Saturday.
“The future is bright,” smiled Gilkerson, North Branch head cross country coach. “We are so young.”
One of the youngest runners on the squad is Hasleiet who jumped onto the varsity scene midway through this season. Just a seventh-grader, Hasleiet made quick work, finishing second at the conference meet and seventh at sections. Last Saturday, Hasleiet ran with 149 of the best runners in state class “AA”. One of eight seventh-graders in the field, Hasleiet ran the course in 17:14, finishing 121 overall. Despite facing several problems along the way, Hasleiet capped her season off in style.
“She didn’t have a very good staring position, she got boxed in and she wasn’t able to move much,” remembered Gilkerson. “She got trapped, and then she was having some breathing problems, her asthma kicked in, so she had a tough day. But she battled through all of that and finished strong like she always does. She just had an amazing season and we’re looking forward to having her for another five years.”
The Vikings will have Ramberg around for another two years. The sophomore represented the North Branch boys team by finishing 78 overall, finishing with a time of 17:29. Ramberg, who was making his first state appearance, fell right in the middle of the pack. Altogether, a total of 153 boys ran.
“He was right in the middle of the pack. I thought he ran very well for being there for the first time,” commented Gilkerson. “I was hoping that he would finish in the top half and he did.”
It was just another reason for Gilkerson to sit back and smile when the race was finally over. Ramberg’s run officially marked the end of the 2004 season, and what a season it was for the Vikings. As stated earlier, while this season was good, the Vikings are looking for the future to be even better.
“This was just a superb year,” replied Gilkerson. “It’s the best we’ve had in a long time. Even going back to the beginning of the season when we started, our numbers were the highest in years. We’re already planning for next year. Our goal next year is to get a whole team to state.”
2004 Class AA boys state cross country meet:
Team Results-
1. Marshall 34
2. Willmar 84
3. Eden Prairie 130
4. Lakeville 139
5. Stillwater 145
6. Hopkins 196
7. Henry Sibley 198
8. Alexandria 247
9. Mounds View 262
10. Moorhead 265
11. Minn. Southwest 272
12. Fridley 287
13. Faribault 294
14. Park of Cottage Grove 297
15. Monticello 323
16. Chisago Lakes 328
Individual Results- Top 10
1. Yahya Iman Marshall
15:39.9
2. Rob Finnerty Burnsville
3. Mike Krisch Hopkins
4. Dahir Jumale Marshall
5. Tim Branigan Roseville
6. Ben Kampf Farmington
7. Dan Fadgen Buffalo
8. Elliot Heath Winona
9. Joe Moore Stillwater
10. J. Stoltman Little Falls
78. Nick Ramberg 17:29
2004 Class AA girls state cross country meet:
Team Results-
1. Minnetonka 78
2. Roseville 94
3. Lakeville 116
4. Dover-Eyota/St./ Charles 129
5. Eden Prairie 136
6. Marshall 143
7. Fergus Falls 148
8. Elk River 249
9. Park of Cottage Grove 258
10. Prior Lake 284
11. Tartan 290
12. Mounds View 294
13. Osseo 299
14. Duluth East 321
15. Sartell-Str. Stephen 330
16. Benilde-St. Margaret’s 395
Individual Results- Top 10
1. E. Yetzer Lakeville
14:28
2. H. Grinaker Detroit Lakes
3. Molly Lehman Minnetonka
4. Kari Higdem Willmar
5. B. Wyffels Marshall
6. K. Anderson Blaine
7. J. Cheever Minn. Southwest
8. E. Schwitzer Hopkins
9. Callie Malone Eden Prairie
10. N. Yarbrough Eastview
121. Haley Hasleiet 17:14
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