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Five North Branch seniors completed their high school running careers by representing NBHS at the State Track and Field Meet at Hamline University June 8-9.

Nick Ramberg competed in the 800 meter run and ran the 4x800 relay with classmates JJ Koerber, Aaron Cedergren and Cody Good.

Ramberg ran a 1:58.06 in the third of three preliminary heats Friday, June 8. The time was not fast enough to advance to Saturday's finals. In 2006, Ramberg took home a medal for eighth place in the 800 with a time of 1:59.29.

"Nick was in a really tough heat," said North Branch head track coach Brian Hasleiet. "He ran a good race, but the first lap was so fast that he couldn't couldn't catch the leaders." Andy Richardson of Irondale won the heat in a meet-best 1:51.6 and went on to take second place in Saturday's final.

In 2006, Cedergren, Koerber, Good and Ryan Norman placed 11th at the state meet by finishing the 4x800 in 8:22.73. This year's NB team took 10th place in the state finals by finishing in 8:09.90.

Running the first leg, Koerber took the early lead and was in fourth after the first lap. The Vikings were still in fourth when Cedergren took the baton. Cedergren and Good ran well, but the competition was even better. Ramberg was in 10th when he started his two-lap anchor leg. He kept that position to finish one spot out of a medal.

Wilmar won the event in a state record time of 7:47:33. That took the place of the previous record (7:48.38) from 2004. The other meet record established this year was by Winona's Elliot Heath. He ran the 3200 in 9:02.65, breaking the old mark (9:03:12) established in 1995.

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