After coming within three points of Warroad for first place last Thursday at Roseau, International Falls’ girls cross country team finished ahead of the Warriors for the top spot Monday at the Warroad Invitational.

The Broncos won with a team score of 61, followed by Warroad (79), Lake of the Woods (102), Thief River Falls and Roseau, both at 114, rounding out the top five.

“It felt so great to reach our goal of beating Warroad (on Monday), especially after losing to them by three points last week,” said Falls senior Amber Harms.

Two Bronco runners placed in the top five individually on the 4,000-meter course. Eighth-grader Lexi Erickson finished second in 15, minutes 47 seconds, while junior Sydney Raboin came in fourth in 17:20.

The three other Falls girls runners whose finishes counted toward the team total included: Senior Amber Harms, 15th in 17:20; junior Amy Auran, 17th in 17:48; and senior Rachel Foss, 23rd in 18:28.

“We’ve been wanting to win this meet for the past couple years, and to finally get it done was the best feeling ever,” Foss said.

 

Bronco boys third

In the boys competition, the Broncos finished third.

Thief River Falls edged out Roseau on a tiebreaker for first with both teams having 42 points, followed by the Falls (74), Grafton 98 and Bagley-Fosston (158) in the top five.

Senior Marco Griffith was the Broncos’ only runner to finish in the top 10 after placing eighth on the 5,000-meter course in 18:39.

“We had a tough race (Monday), but a lot of guys were able to push through the pain and we ended up with a really good meet all around,” Griffith said.

The other four Falls boys runners whose places counted toward the team score included: senior Cade MacKay, 12th in 19:07; junior Wyatt Ulrich, 13th in 19:17;  senior Logan Veillieux, 18th in 19:58; and senior Corin Wenger, 23rd in 20:24.

“Mondays are rough days to have a meet, but our guys team still worked hard and placed third, which isn’t bad,” MacKay said.

Falls’ next meet is Thursday at Eveleth-Gilbert.

 

Warroad Invitational

GIRLS

Team scores: International Falls 61, Warroad 79, Lake of the Woods 102, Thief River Falls 114, Roseau 114, Grafton 117.

I. Falls runners: 2. Lexi Erickson, 15:47; 4. Sydney Raboin, 15:58; 15. Amber Harms, 17:20; 17. Amy Auran, 17:48; 23. Rachel Foss, 18:28; 33. Shelby Wolden, 20:08; 44. Katie West, 21:21; 47. Megan Schwartz, 22:18.

 

BOYS

Team scores: Thief River Falls 42, Roseau 42, International Falls 74, Grafton 98, Bagley-Fosston 158.

I. Falls runners: 8. Marco Griffith, 18:39; 12. Cade MacKay, 19:07; 13. Wyatt Ulrich, 19:17; 18. Logan Veillieux, 19:58; 23. Corin Wenger, 20:24; 33. Eric Mathews, 21:22; 35. Jason Pumper, 21:36.