HAWLEY, Minn (KWAD)- More than a dozen schools gathered on a hot October afternoon for the Dale Skallerud Memorial Cross Country Meet at Hawley Golf Course, with programs from Minnesota and North Dakota testing themselves against strong regional competition. While powerhouse teams like Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton and Moorhead battled for podium spots, Park Rapids Area, West Central Area, and Frazee delivered performances that highlighted both established frontrunners and emerging young talent.

In the boys race, Park Rapids sophomore Jack Mitteness nearly stole the show, running stride-for-stride with DGF’s Owen Winter before finishing runner-up in 17:03.2. His effort spearheaded a fifth-place team finish for the Panthers with 111 points. Park Rapids also saw contributions from Cesar Quixan Gutierrez (12th, 18:01.5), Tyler Huot (18th, 18:24.3), and Christian Thorson (30th, 19:05.1). Senior Caleb Mack (56th, 20:12.7) rounded out the scoring five, while Andrew Mercil (64, 20:26.5) and Leo Kueber (67, 20:42.1) provided depth just behind.

For West Central Area, senior Carter Kjesbo once again proved reliable at the front, placing third overall in 17:24.0. His leadership helped the Knights secure a sixth-place finish with 170 points. Sophomore Michael Girard (35th, 19:28.0), juniors Gavin Boll (43rd, 19:47.5) and Kyler Kastner (44th, 19:48.1), and senior Gauge Eide (54th, 20:04.2) packed closely to close out the team scoring.

Frazee, meanwhile, leaned on a pair of underclassmen for their best finishes. Sophomore Jonah Sharp crossed 38th in 19:43.4, just steps ahead of senior Coltyn Pender (42nd, 19:47.3). The Hornets tallied 333 points for 11th place, with Talon Hoverson (87th, 21:51.2), Hunter Piekarski (89th, 21:54.6), and Eli Heston (90th, 21:59.9) completing the scoring five.

On the girls’ side, three programs in the listening area again made their presence felt in a deep 16-team field.

For Park Rapids Area, freshman Greta Galzki continues to emerge as one of Section 8AA’s rising stars. She placed third overall in 20:21.8, showing poise against older competition. Freshman Katelynn Henderson (21st, 22:14.7) and senior Grace Etter (29th, 22:32.2) gave the Panthers a solid front three, though the team’s depth was tested. Sarah Hartung (73rd, 24:47.0) and Breanna Deblieck (94th, 26:24.4) filled out the scoring, leading to a seventh-place team finish with 208 points.

For West Central Area, seventh-grader Sophia Jannette turned heads with a 7th-place finish in 21:03.5, a performance that sparked the Knights to a sixth-place team result (204 points). Behind Jannette, the WCA pack of Kyra Beyer (48th, 23:36.4), Harper Anderson (50th, 23:57.2), Natalea Olson (53rd, 24:08.8), and Skylar LaRue (54th, 24:09.1) kept the team competitive in a crowded middle tier.

Frazee’s girls were paced by sophomore Rilynn Ruiz, who cracked the top 20 with a 16th-place finish in 21:52.5. Teammate Lola Hoehne (42nd, 23:06.5) gave the Hornets a strong second runner, while Bristol Larsen (56th, 24:14.7), Brooklynn Riewer (64th, 24:27.2), and Zoey St. Germain (99th, 27:05.3) rounded out the scoring. Frazee finished 12th with 262 points, continuing to show gradual improvement in depth.