A pair of International Falls girls cross country runners finished in the top five Thursday when the Broncos placed second at the Hibbing Invitational.

Esko won the team title with 57 points, followed by the Falls (76), Crosby-Ironton (100), South Ridge (128) and Cook County/Two Harbors (133) in the top five.

“Our girls kept it pretty close with the No. 2 team in the state,” said Broncos head coach Paul Hjelle. “Esko is very good and really has a lot of depth, but we competed (Thursday).”

Eighth-grader Lexi Erickson led the Falls with a second-place individual finish on the 4,000-meter course in 15 minutes, 16 seconds. Junior teammate Sydney Raboin finished fourth in 15:39.

The three other Bronco runners who counted in the team standings included: senior Amber Harms, 19th in 16:53; junior Amy Auran, 21st in 17:04; and senior Rachel Foss, 30th in 17:35.

“It was nice to be able to run against Esko and (Crosby -Ironton on Thursday), because now we know more of what to expect at sections,” said Harms. “Placing 19 points behind Esko was also a nice confidence booster for us.”

 

Bronco boys fifth

In the boys competition, the Broncos placed fifth out of 14 teams.

Crosby-Ironton had the top team score of 44, followed by Esko (78), Proctor (79), Virginia (107) and the Falls (163) rounding out the top five.

Senior Cade MacKay had the Broncos’ top individual finish by placing 22nd on the 5,000-meter course in 18:28. Senior teammate Marco Griffith finished two places behind MacKay in 18:38.

The three other Falls runners who counted toward the team total included: Wyatt Ulrich, 31st in 19:15; Logan Veillieux, 36th in 19:29; and Corin Wenger, 50th in 20:00.

“There was a lot of tough competition on the team (Thursday),” said Griffith. “It made the spread between our top-four runners very good. Overall, we had a great meet that is going to help us in the future.”

The Broncos’ next meet is set for Tuesday hosted by Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin.

 

Hibbing Invitational

GIRLS

Team scores: Esko 57, International Falls 76, Crosby-Ironton 100, South Ridge 128, Cook County/Two Harbors 133, Lake of the Woods 140, Eveleth-Gilbert 170, Duluth Marshall 205, Carlton 238, Virginia 244, Cromwell 267.

I. Falls runners: 2. Lexi Erickson, 15:16; 4. Sydney Raboin, 15:39; 19. Amber Harms, 16:53; 21. Amy Auran, 17:04; 30. Rachel Foss, 17:35; 42. Shelby Wolden, 18:54; 61. Lexi Edwards, 19:51.

BOYS

Team scores: Crosby-Ironton 44, Esko 78, Proctor 79, Virginia 107, International Falls 163, Eveleth-Gilbert 171, Duluth Marshall 176, Cook County/Two Harbors 181, South Ridge 224, Carlton 250, Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin 274, Mountain Iron-Buhl 360, Wrenshall 393, Chisholm 396.

I. Falls runners: 22. Cade MacKay, 18:28; 24. Marco Griffith, 18:38; 31. Wyatt Ulrich, 19:15; 36. Logan Veillieux, 19:29; 50. Corin Wenger, 20:00; 61. Jason Pumper, 21:10; 62. Eric Matthews, 21:20.