EAGLE BEND, Minn. (KWAD) — Bertha-Hewitt cross country hosted their lone home meet of the 2025 season at Double Eagle Golf Course on Tuesday afternoon, and turned a fast start into a wire-to-wire boys’ team victory, while the United North Central girls team used tight, front-loaded scoring to capture the girls’ crown. Wadena-Deer Creek delivered balance across both races, finishing runner-up in the girls’ and boys’ team standings.
On the boys’ side, Brady Rach set the tone for Bertha-Hewitt with a decisive win in 16:26.1, pulling away from the field over the final mile. The home team then slammed the door with a deep scoring five: Henry Lockwood (4th, 17:20.2), Nolan Rach (6th, 17:22.4), Gunnar Barthel (7th, 17:45.1), and Vance Lockwood (13th, 18:51.3). That 1-through-5 presence added up to 31 points and the team title. It was the first varsity race for eighth-graders Nolan Rach and Vance Lockwood, who had consistently been 1-2 in their JV races this season. With five scoring runners, the Bears now have a team capable of making a run at the Section 6A title next month
Wadena-Deer Creek made its move through the middle of the race and secured second with 46 points, keyed by Owen Anderson (5th, 17:21.8), Grant Nelson (8th, 17:45.2), Evan Schmidt (10th, 18:17.2), Lane Kaufman (11th, 18:35.1) and Noah Stroeing (12th, 18:35.4). United North Central rode a top-end spark from Drew Aho—the individual runner-up in 16:58.2—and placed fifth as a team with 127.
“I want to lift up an exceptionally strong Wolverine JV Boys team, who scored a perfect 15 tonight.” WDC head coach Mike Brunsburg said after the race. “Our veteran senior Charles Peterson ran a season-best tonight.”
Markus Brunn won the JV race with a time of 19:24.1, with Logan Seelhammer (19:45.1) and Levi Nelson (19:56.1) close behind—just 32 seconds separating the trio. Jack Halverson-Bucholz (20:51.1) and Peterson (21:47.2) finished fourth and fifth to sweep the Top Five. Trevin Kern was sixth (22:28.5) Lex Tucker and Rhyis Udy crossed together at 22:59.1 for eighth and ninth place.
In the girls’ race, United North Central packed the top dozen to seize control early and never let go. Macie Josephson broke the tape in 19:18.1 with teammate Anaya Aho close behind in second (20:15.2). UNC’s scoring five formed a compact group—Eva Lehto in fifth (21:20.3), Elsa Komppa in 13th (22:14.5), and Joanna Lehto in 14th (22:24.5), with Miley Westberg in 15th place (22:45.1) for some added insurance.The result: a meet-low 28 points and the team title.
Wadena-Deer Creek answered with podium depth of its own for second at 49. Karly Haverkamp led the Wolverines in third (20:47.2), followed by Cambrie Geiger (9th, 21:31.4), Lydia Oldakowski (11th, 21:57), and Annika Spicer (17th, 23:02.2).
Miette Hansel finished fifth overall for Bertha-Hewitt (21:10.1), with McKayla Kapphahn in 16th (22:59.1) and Aulani Johnson in 24th (24:23.1).
BERTHA-HEWITT INVITATIONAL — INDIVIDUALS (TOP 10)
GIRLS VARSITY
1 Macie Josephson, UNC 19:18.1
2 Anaya Aho, UNC 20:15.2
3 Karly Haverkamp, WDC 20:47.2
4 Miette Hansel, BH 21:10.1
5 Eva Lehto, UNC 21:20.3
6 Maci Hollenbeck, AAC 21:23.2
7 Alainna Dobson, Pillager 21:28.1
8 Bellanie Kalis, Pillager 21:31.1
9 Cambrie Geiger, WDC 21:31.4
10 Caylee Kuehne, LPGE 21:54.5
BOYS VARSITY
1 Brady Rach, BH 16:26.1
2 Drew Aho, UNC 16:58.2
3 Peter Newark, OTC 17:05.1
4 Henry Lockwood, BH 17:20.2
5 Owen Anderson, WDC 17:21.8
6 Nolan Rach, BH 17:22.4
7 Gunnar Barthel, BH 17:45.1
8 Grant Nelson, WDC 17:45.2
9 Talyn Setterholm, OTC 18:16.2
10 Evan Schmidt, WDC 18:17.2
BERTHA-HEWITT INVITATIONAL — TEAM RESULTS
GIRLS VARSITY
1. United North Central 28
2. Wadena-Deer Creek 49
3. Ottertail Central 89
4. Pillager 115
5. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 119
6. A.B.E 132
BOYS VARSITY
1. Bertha-Hewitt 31
2. Wadena-Deer Creek 46
3. Ottertail Central 75
4. A.B.E 108
5. United North Central 127
6. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 148
7. New York Mills 210
8. Pillager 216
9. Verndale 239