GLENWOOD, Minn. (KWAD) — For the first time in program history, both the WDC boys and girls cross country teams qualified for the State Meet in the same year, and they did it in style—each finishing Section 6A runners-up on Thursday at Minnewaska Golf Club to punch their tickets to November.

“Our girls ran great, now the stars kind of have to align,” Head Coach Mike Brunsberg said before the boys race. “The boys are going to have to do something they haven’t all year—beat Sauk Centre. But they believe they can, and that’s half the battle.”

The boys promptly made it happen, packing up and outpacing Sauk Centre 65–89 to claim the runner-up trophy and seal a historic day for the Wolverines.

WDC’s boys are headed to state as a team for just the third time in school history (first since 1993). Senior Grant Nelson set the tone with a 5th-place finish in 16:38.4, earning his third consecutive State Championship berth and a Section Top-10 medal. He’ll be joined by a lineup that rose together when it mattered most: Owen Anderson — 13th, 17:07.2 (PR), Lane Kaufman — 14th, 17:12.1 (PR), Noah Stroeing — 16th, 17:26.3 (PR), Brennan Simmons — 17th, 17:28.5 (PR).

WDC’s top-five total of 1:25:52 with a tight :50 spread underscored the pack running that powered the Wolverines past Sauk Centre and back onto the state stage. Remarkably, all seven boys ran their fastest-ever Section time.

The WDC girls continued a golden run, advancing to state for the third straight season—and becoming the eighth girls’ team in school history to qualify and are looking for their first state title since 1998. Senior Karly Haverkamp led the way in 11th (20:04.4), followed by seniors Lydia Oldakowski (19th, 20:38.4), Brielle Kern (26th, 20:55.7), and Cambrie Geiger (27th, 20:59.2)—each now bound for a third consecutive State Meet after 2022 and 2023. Cody Seelhammer (FR) closed the scoring in 35th (21:41.3).

The Wolverines posted a 20:51 top-five average with a 1:36 spread, and, like the boys, every girl clocked her fastest Section time.

Both WDC boys and girls earned ACADEMIC GOLD team awards (GPA 3.75+), highlighting a program that pairs speed with scholarship.

The Wolverines head to the MHSAA Class A State Championships on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Les Bolstad Golf Course (University of Minnesota):

• Class A Boys: 10:00 a.m.

• Class A Girls: 10:45 a.m.

Updates will be broadcast throughout the morning on The Superstation K106 and the K106 mobile app.