CLOQUET — International Falls’ goal at the Section 7A meet Thursday at the Cloquet Country club was to qualify for the state tournament.
After a ninth-place finish — only the top two finishers qualify — the young Broncos now know what it will take to reach the top of the section.
“We need to work harder, run on the weekends more,” said ninth-grader Marco Griffith, who tallied a team-best 30th place.
The Broncos also don’t have any seniors on the roster, preventing them from losing someone to graduation in offseason.
“This is probably the most competitive the guys have ever been (with each other),” Broncos head coach Paul Hjelle said. “They’ve been battling all year for the top seven and that’s made them better, but not good enough.”
Following up Griffith were Reggie Gorden, Charlie Gordon, John Bartkowski and John Sobczynski. Frank Nevanen and Jake Jensen also participated.
Sobczynski, the Broncos’ No. 1 runner all season, missed last week’s Iron Range Conference meet with a flu-like illness and had run only once this week before Thursday’s section competition.
But he’ll have plenty of time next year for a full recovery.
“It could be a lot of fun, cause they can do it,” Hjelle said.
Jensen echoed the sentiment.
“A good experience year,” he said. “That’s for sure. Next year is the year it’s going to happen.”
Team results — 1, Esko, 55; 2, Eveleth-Gilbert, 67; 3, Mesabi East, 100; 4, Virginia, 117; 5, Crosby-Ironton, 162; 6, Cook County-Two Harbors, 168; 7, Proctor, 182; 8, Marshall School, 202; 9, I. Falls, 218; 10, Cromwell-Floodwood, 234; 11, Greenway, 289; 12, East Central, 298; 13, Moose Lake-Willow River-Barnum, 362; 14, Carlton/CCA, 367.
I. Falls individual results
30. Marco Griffith 18:40.1
32. Reggie Gordon 18:47.7
45. Charlie Gordon 19:27.7
51. John Bartkowski 19:43.8
64. John Sobczynski 20:16.1
74. Frank Nevanen 20:51.1
82. Jake Jensen 21:10.1
