In weather well-suited for a cross country meet, International Falls’ girls team found itself in another battle with Warroad for the top spot at Tuesday’s Bagley/Fosston Invitational.

However, unlike the Warroad Invitational a week earlier, the Warriors finished first this time.

Warroad had the top team score of 73, followed the Falls (107), Park Rapids (119), United North Central (123) and Roseau rounding out the top five out of 14 teams.

“(Tuesday) was a great day for a meet. The weather was perfect for running,” said Broncos junior Sydney Raboin. “It was upsetting losing to Warroad, but we have more chances to beat them coming up.”

Raboin was one of two Falls runners to finish in the top five individually. Broncos eighth-grader Lexi Erickson placed third on the 4,000-meter course in 15 minutes, 52 seconds, 7 seconds ahead of Raboin in fourth place.

The three other Falls runners who counted in the team standings included: Amber Harms, 24th in 17:23; Amy Auran, 34th in 17:45; and Rachel Foss, 42nd in 18:05.

 

Bronco boys 10th

In the boys competition, Falls placed 10th out of 16 teams with 232 points.

Bemidji ended up with the top team score at 54, followed by Pelican Rapids (79), Perham (98), Roseau (123) and Park Rapids (123) in the top five.

The top-three Bronco runners finished the 5,000-meter course in under 19 minutes with the top time coming from senior Marco Griffith, who placed 32nd in 18:40. Senior Logan Veillieux finished 37th in 18:51 and junior Wyatt Ulrich came in 40th in 18:57.

“(Tuesday’s) temperature was perfect. The cooler temps I have been waiting for,” said Veillieux. “Despite our 10th-place finish, we ran well. There was a lot of good competition.”

Falls’ two other runners who counted toward the team total included senior Cade MacKay placing 60th in 19:31 and Corin Wenger coming in 63rd in 19:48.

“Most of the guys ran good times, and I finally beat the time I have been after all season,” Wenger said. 

 

Bagley/Fosston Invite

GIRLS

Team scores: Warroad 73, International Falls 107, Park Rapids 119, United North Central 123, Roseau 130, Pequot Lakes 146, Pelican Rapids 170, Thief River Falls 179, Lake of the Woods 212, Perham 220, Grand Forks Central 274, Staples-Motley 282, Wadena-Deer Creek 292, Pine River-Backus 375.

I. Falls runners: 3. Lexi Erickson, 15:52; 4. Sydney Raboin, 15:59; 24. Amber Harms, 17:23; 34. Amy Auran, 17:45; 42. Rachel Foss, 18:05; 68. Shelby Wolden, 19:40; 75. Megan Schwartz, 20:12.

BOYS

Team scores: Bemidji 54, Pelican Rapids 79, Perham 98, Roseau 123, Park Rapids 129, Thief River Falls 163, Pequot Lakes 190, Staples-Motley 207, Hawley/Ulen-Hitterdal 220, International Falls 232, Grand Forks Central 255, Bagley/Fosston 358, United North Central 396, Wadena-Deer Creek 413, Warroad 419, Pine River-Backus 439.

I. Falls runners: 32. Marco Griffith, 18:40; 37. Logan Veillieux, 18:51; 40. Wyatt Ulrich, 18:57; 60. Cade MacKay, 19:31; 63. Corin Wenger, 19:48; 68. Cole Tatsak, 19:56; 72. Cody Tatsak, 20:16.