BATTLE LAKE, Minn (KWAD) – A hot October afternoon set the stage for the Ottertail Central Invite at Balmoral Golf Club, where runners from across central Minnesota gathered to test themselves on the rolling hills of Balmoral Golf Course. The meet showcased some of the area’s deepest talent, with Bertha-Hewitt, Ottertail Central, and Parkers Prairie each leaving their mark in standout fashion.

The boys’ race belonged to Bertha-Hewitt, who used a remarkable 1-3-4-5-7 finish to secure a runaway team title with 20 points and win their second consecutive meet.

Senior Brady Rach once again set the tone, storming through the 5,000-meter course to claim first in 16:45.41. He was joined in the top five by teammates Gunnar Barthel (3rd, 17:42.20), Nolan Rach (4th, 17:42.57), and Henry Lockwood (5th, 17:48.68), with freshman Vance Lockwood adding a personal-record 7th-place finish in 18:20.16. Junior Jakub Stovicek (12th, 19:42.76) provided depth to lock in a near-perfect score.

Ottertail Central took runner-up honors with 41 points, led by senior Peter Newark in second place (17:23.80). Seniors Talyn Setterholm (6th, 17:55.34) and Phoenix Allison (11th, 19:41.19), along with underclassmen Drew Robinson (8th, 18:50.03) and Benjamin Sanmoogan (17th, 20:11.90), kept the Bulldogs tightly bunched to hold off Brandon-Evansville in the team standings.

Parkers Prairie didn’t have the depth to challenge for the top three, but senior Jayme O’Brien ran a steady race to place 20th in 20:28.78, with sophomore Landon Hermanson adding a personal-best 22:28.51 for 32nd.

The girls’ race provided the day’s most thrilling storyline — a team battle between Ottertail Central and Parkers Prairie that came down to just three points.

Ottertail Central emerged victorious with 34 points, thanks to outstanding pack running. Eighth-grader Claire Mansker led the way with a 6th-place finish in 21:40.06, and she was quickly followed by Tegan Brandon (9th, 23:06.26), Kailie Robinson (10th, 23:13.56), and Brielle Malone (11th, 23:18.27). Freshman Quinn Hagemeister (16th, 24:29.66) and junior Delia Tebrugge (18th, 25:23.75) added insurance as the Bulldogs edged their Prairie rivals.

For Parkers Prairie, sophomore Kaylee Vogt turned in a strong performance for 3rd overall in 21:32.72, while senior Sophie Pfeffer (7th, 22:08.47) and eighth-grader Chloe Patrick (8th, 22:21.54) provided a solid front trio. Sophomore Izabella Vogt (19th, 25:49.49) and sophomore Olivia Christians (24th, 27:12.98) gave the Panthers their scoring five, pushing them to 37 points — just shy of the team crown.

Although Bertha-Hewitt didn’t have a full girls’ squad for team scoring, senior Miette Hansel made the most of her individual opportunity. Hansel battled the front pack early before pulling away late for the individual victory in 21:01.47. Senior teammate Mckayla Kapphahn also ran well, clocking 23:19.33 for 12th, while sophomore Aulani Johnson (15th, 24:29.09) provided another strong showing.