---

In 2004, the North Branch Vikings competed in the Rum River Conference. In 2004, the North Branch cross country teams finished first (girls) and second (boys) at the conference meet.

Tuesday, October 18, 2005, the Vikings competed in the North Suburban Conference Cross Country Meet. The NSC is composed of much larger schools. In that meet, the Vikings finished first (girls) and second (boys). New conference, same result.

The meet was held at Bassett Creek Park in Crystal. According to long-time Viking head coach Ward Gilkerson, the course was, “Relatively flat and fast, especially for the girls. There was one long hill, but that was on the part of the course that only the boys ran.”

The team results for the girls’ 4K race were North Branch 55, St. Francis 82, Totino Grace 89, Cooper 110, Benilde 127, Spring Lake Park 138, Irondale 147, St. Louis Park 225, Fridley 228 and Chisago Lakes 234.

Individually, Haley Hasleiet placed third of 65 runners with a time of 16:20. Close behind were Miranda Charley (5/16:32), Ali Zimmerman (10/16:45), Shayna Gray (14/16:55), Tiffany Peterson (23/17:27), Briana Berthiaume (35/17:59) and Erica Handt (4218:21).

The team results for the boys’ 5K race were Benilde 33, North Branch 86, Irondale 100, St. Louis Park 103, Spring Lake Park/St. Anthony 119, Chisago Lakes 177, Cooper 179, St. Francis 190, Fridley 198 and Totino Grace 223.

Individually, North Branch’s Nick Ramberg was sixth of 70 runners in 17:11. JJ Koerber was next (14/17:38), followed by Brandon Nagle (16/17:44), Ryan Norman (17/17:51), Aaron Cedergren (33/18:38), Cody Good (41/18:48) and Cory Crowell (56/19:17).

The top 15 runners in each of the varsity races earn All-Conference recognition. Vikings Hasleiet, Charley, Gray, Koerber, Ramberg, and Zimmerman were gained a spot on the All-Conference team. In addition, Nagle, Norman and Peterson earned honorable mention in the conference.

It should also be noted that none (zero) of these runners are seniors. Area fans can look forward to watching the team get even better next season.

Fans and coaches recognize that competition against the NSC schools is always going to be tough. These schools are much bigger than most of the Rum River schools that North Branch and Chisago Lakes had competed against in previous seasons. Congratulations to the team and coaches Gilkerson, Hasleiet and Ahlm.

---