STAPLES, MINN (KWAD) — The 2025 cross country season will be one of transition for the Staples-Motley Cardinals, but also one filled with promise. With a mix of experienced letterwinners, rising underclassmen, and one of the best girls’ runners in the entire state, head coach staff believes this year’s group can develop into a team to watch by the end of the fall.
The Cardinals boys’ team faces the challenge of replacing five seniors from last season’s varsity squad, including four team scorers. Despite those losses, the team is not short on potential.
Gage Bjerga (10th), one of two team captains, will lead the way as the front runner after gaining valuable varsity experience last year. Senior Gabe Kroll joins him as co-captain, bringing leadership and consistency to a lineup that features several promising underclassmen.
Returning letterwinners Garrett Bjerga (9th), Alex Leach (9th), and Jackson Odden (9th) are expected to make significant strides, while sophomores Andrew Dobson, Jacob Faulkner, and Seth Cossentine provide depth and maturity in the middle of the lineup. Younger runners like Brayden Moore (8th) and Reed Leach (7th) will be brought along carefully, with coaches expecting them to contribute as the season progresses.
“We’re unproven as runners, but we have great athletes and we like what we’re seeing in practice,” coach Fuhrman noted. “This team could surprise people late in the season.”
With a tough schedule designed to push the squad against top competition, Staples-Motley expects early struggles but views them as part of the process. “We plan on taking it on the chin much of the season,” Fuhrman said, “but it will build character and help us achieve team goals.”
In the Heart O’ Lakes Conference, Perham remains the dominant boys’ program, while Sauk Centre and Wadena-Deer Creek are viewed as frontrunners in Section 6A.
The Staples-Motley girls’ team enters the year with a unique blend of star power and developing depth. The headliner is senior Audrey Brownell, last year’s HOL Conference champion, Section 6A champion, and Class A state individual champion. Ranked No. 1 in Class A for the second straight year, Brownell will again be one of Minnesota’s premier distance runners.
She is joined by captains Maddie Kist (11th) and Suhaila Mikhaeil (11th), who both showed strong improvement over the summer, along with returning letterwinners Aleea Holst (9th) and Elise Trif (8th), each expected to step up as front runners behind Brownell. Younger athletes Lizzie Kroll (7th), Mollie Larrimore (7th), and Alexis Odden (7th) add long-term potential and may find themselves scoring as the season progresses.
The Cardinals lost two key scorers from last year’s team, which finished 7th at the state meet, but optimism remains that the new mix of talent will keep the program among the section’s best. The only concern is roster size — the team may compete as incomplete at some early meets while younger runners adjust to the varsity level.
“The key is training, building confidence, and having fun,” Fuhrman said. “If we do that, we can contend for a Section 6A title again.”
Within the HOL, Perham and Hawley are projected favorites, but Staples-Motley could be a sleeper to break into the top two. In Section 6A, Minnewaska is favored to repeat, with Sauk Centre, Wadena-Deer Creek, Parkers Prairie, and Staples-Motley all capable of challenging if development and health align.
“We have some great athletes,” Fuhrman said. “This is a team that could be dangerous by the end of the season.”
STAPLES-MOTLEY CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE:
Monday, Aug 25 – HOME MEET AT VINTAGE GOLF COURSE, 9:00am
Friday, Sept 5 – Dragon Invite @ MSUM, 4:00pm
Thursday, Sept 11 – @ Pine River-Backus, 4:00pm
Saturday, Sept 20 -Roy Griak Invite @ U of M
Thursday, Sept 25 – @ Foley, 4:00pm
Saturday, Oct 4 – @ Alexandria, 10:00am
Tuesday, Oct 7 – @ Minnewaska Area, 4:00pm
Thursday, Oct 9 – @ Perham, 4:00pm
Tuesday, Oct 14 – Heart O Lakes Conference Meet @ Breckenridge, 4:00pm
Thursday, Oct 23 – Section 6A Meet @ Minnewaska Area, 4:00pm