BERTHA-HEWITT, MINN (KWAD) — Small in numbers but big in heart, the Bertha-Hewitt Bears cross country teams are once again preparing to prove that size doesn’t define success. Head coach Kenny Miller, now in his third year at the helm and fifth with the program, says the Bears are ready to build on recent tradition while navigating the realities of being one of the smallest public schools in the state competing in cross country.
The Bears’ boys squad enters 2025 as the four-time defending conference champions and fresh off a Class A state meet appearance. While the team graduated seniors Gavin Brown and William Brandsma, Miller still returns five of his top seven runners from last season.
Leading the way is senior Brady Rach, the defending section champion, who also placed 15th at the State Meet last November. Fellow seniors Henry Lockwood and Gunnar Barthel add leadership and consistency, with both finishing in the top 15 at last year’s section meet. Young talent is also part of the mix, with eighth graders Nolan Rach and Vance Lockwood expected to contribute significantly.
“With eight total boys, it’ll be a test of determination if we can repeat as conference champions for the fifth year in a row and earn another trip to the state meet,” Miller said. “We’ve got quality runners, but not much depth, so staying healthy will be the key.”
On the girls’ side, Bertha-Hewitt graduated Ella Banister and Lezah Dean, but returns its top four runners: seniors Miette Hansel and Mckayla Kapphahn, junior Kendra Miller, and sophomore Aulani Johnson. Hansel and Miller both finished in the top 15 at sections last fall, giving the Bears a formidable core.
The challenge, however, is numbers. With only four returning runners, the team needs a fifth athlete to score as a full squad. “We have a very strong group of four runners, but in cross country you need five,” Miller explained. “If we can add one more, we can be right in the mix again.”
Despite the numbers game, Miller believes the Bears are still a top-four team in the section. Last season they placed fourth overall and turned in what he called “an awesome season.”
In the Park Region Conference, the Bears are again the team to beat on the boys’ side, with Wadena-Deer Creek looming as last year’s runner-up. For the girls, United North Central and Wadena-Deer Creek set the standard, though Bertha-Hewitt could contend with a complete lineup.
At the section level, the boys face tough competition from Sauk Centre, Wadena-Deer Creek, and Minnewaska, while the girls’ race is expected to be led by Minnewaska, Staples-Motley, and Wadena — with Bertha-Hewitt in the mix if the roster fills out.
Miller says the “reality of being a small school” is always a challenge, but one the Bears embrace. “We are one of the smallest — I believe the smallest — public schools in the state running cross country,” he said. “We don’t have the luxury of large rosters, but what we do have is athletes who work hard, compete, and love the sport.”
Seventh graders Zaiden Miller, Ambrose Heinze, and Owen Schultz bring new energy to the boys’ program, helping to balance the loss of a few athletes.
For the Bears, the goal remains the same: consistency, health, and determination. “If we can do those things,” Miller said, “I believe we’ll have another season to remember.”
BERTHA-HEWITT CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE:
Monday, Aug 25 – @ Staples, 4:00pm
Friday, Sept 5 – Dragon Invite @ MSUM, 4:00pm
Thursday, Sept 11 – @ New London-Spicer, 4:00
Tuesday, Sept 16 – @ Melrose, 4:00
Friday, Sept 19 – Roy Griak Invite @ U of M
Tuesday, Sept 23 – HOME MEET @ DOUBLE EAGLE GOLF COURSE, 4:30pm
Thursday, Oct 2 – @ OTC, 4:00
Tuesday, Oct 7 – @ Minnewaska, 4:00pm
Thursday, Oct 9 – @ Perham, 3:45pm
Tuesday, Oct 14 – Park Region Conference Meet at Balmoral Golf Course, 4:00pm
Thursday, Oct 23 – Section 6A Meet @ Minnewaska Golf Club , 4:00