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The streak is broken. Last Thursday at the North Branch Invite, the Vikings boys squad finally got past Chisago Lakes. Yes, it was only a one point win, but considering that sections are Thursday, having that extra spurt of confidence goes a lot deeper than just that one point.

“We’ve been getting closer and closer to Chisago Lakes and we were finally able to edge them out,” said Ward Gilkerson, North Branch head cross country coach.

The Vikings did it with their balance, placing seven runners in the top 19. Nick Ramberg led North Branch with a third place finish. Nick Sausen followed, running seventh.

“Our balance has been our key all year, especially this year, being able to pack everybody in,” remarked Gilkerson. “It’s great to see. Hopefully we can keep it going at sections.”

Meanwhile, on the Chisago Lakes side, although he admits North Branch ran a great race, Ken Orwoll also feels that the Wildcats victory at the conference meet the week before played a factor in the loss.

“Definitely. There was nothing at stake. The kids were so emotional at the conference meet, they were just so drained,” replied Orwoll, head Chisago Lakes cross country coach. “It was hard to get pumped up. I hoped Forest Lake would get them going. They ran after them well but not well enough to get the win.”

Things weren’t as close in the girls race. Fresh off their first place finish at the conference meet, the Vikings breezed past the rest of the field, picking up an easy win. Haley Hasleiet crossed the finish line in second place, followed by Amanda Peterson and Rachel Souther.

“They have all been running well, the entire squad. Our goal all season was to win conference and get kids to state,” mentioned Gilkerson. “I think we have a really good shot, maybe our best shot in many, many years.”

As for Chisago Lakes, their girls team ran fourth overall, placing four runners in the top 30.

“Some of them had some better times,” replied Orwoll. “Individually, the girls are really making progress, but team wise, it hasn’t been enough.”

Emmy Wold led the Wildcats with a 24 place finish. Chelsea Johnson (25), Kelsey Campbell (29) and Makayla Grote (30) followed.

North Branch Invite:

Boys Team Results-

1. North Branch 49

2. Chisago Lakes 50

3. Forest Lake 51

4. Pine City 108

5. Big Lake 120

6. Princeton 246

North Branch-

3. Nick Ramberg 17:14

7. Nick Sausen 17:41

9. J.J Koerber 17:46

14. Brandon Nagle 18:19

16. Mitchell Pohlkamp 18:28

17. Aaron Cedergren 18:29

19. Cody Good 18:34

29. Boyd Suparat 18:48

38. Chad Schrandt 19:24

41. Ben Meemken 19:37

46. Ben Prager 20:09

67. Brandon Springer 22:30

Individual Results:

Chisago Lakes-

1. John Leaf 16:55

5. Ben Dery 17:36

8. Zack Hunter 17:44

12. Dan Brelje 18:11

24. Andrew Turner 18:39

32. Nathan Gieske 18:52

34. David Peterson 19:19

44. Matt Carpenter 19:42

45. Matt Jorgenson 19:52

48. Ezra Wittner 20:21

60. Tom McGunk 21:50

61. Charlie Kopp 21:59

66. Greg Olmschenk 22:25

North Branch Invite:

Girls Team Results-

1. North Branch 27

2. Pine City 48

3. Big Lake 50

4. Chisago Lakes 139

5. Princeton INC

Individual Results:

North Branch-

2. Haley Hasleiet 16:13

4. Amanda Peterson 16:59

5. Rachel Souther 17:03

7. Miranda Charley 17:13

9. Tiffany Peterson 17:22

11. Aileen Shanley 17:45

17. Maggie Kriz 18:36

27. Kelsey Lloyd 19:19

28. Katie Bowen 19:21

Individual Results:

Chisago Lakes-

24. Emmy Wold 19:14

25. Chelsea Johnson 19:15

29. Kelsey Campbell 19:29

30. Makayla Grote 19:29

31. Ashley Wilke 20:13

36. Kristen Ruser 20:46

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