SEBEKA/MENAHGA, MINN (KWAD) – With a deep roster returning on both the boys’ and girls’ sides, the future looks bright for the United North Central cross country program under head coach Ed Heltunen, now entering his second year as head coach and fourth overall in the program. Alongside co-head coach Nick Jasmer and junior high coach Nicole Oyster, Heltunen says the team is building off a tremendous 2024 campaign and has the pieces in place to make another strong run this fall.
The girls’ team enters the season with momentum, bringing back the bulk of a squad that won the conference and section championships before finishing an impressive fourth at the Class A state meet a year ago. Anjalie Aho, who now competes at the University of Sioux Falls, finished eighth at state last fall and was the lone graduating senior on the girls roster. With nearly everyone else returning, expectations are high. Five seniors headline the lineup: Macie Josephson, Joanna Lehto, Miley Westberg, Elsa Komppa, and Hana Eitel, giving the Warriors an experienced leadership core.
They’re joined by juniors Anaya Aho and Erika Keranen, freshman Maelle Haverinen, and three talented eighth graders — Eva Lehto, Kaia Westberg, and Avery Oyster — who already have varsity mileage under their belts. Additional depth comes from Avyana Isaacson (11), Adalee Hendrickson (10), Brynn Hendrickson (10), and several up-and-coming middle schoolers.
On the boys’ side, senior Drew Aho, along with juniors Nolan Heltunen, Gavin Schreiber, and Keegan Josephson, sophomores Darryl Haverinen and Rohan Kuschel, and a strong eighth-grade group led by Waylon Thompson and Kael Anderson, provide solid depth. Draden Kako (9), Aiden Hendrickson (7), and Jack Skoog (7) are also expected to contribute.
Heltunen points to two primary strengths: the senior leadership on the girls’ side, and the depth on the boys’ team. The key, as always, will be staying healthy. “We’ve had a great summer of strength training and will continue it all season long to help kids stay healthy,” Heltunen noted. “Many of our kids put in base miles and lifting during the summer, and that will be key to helping us keep improving.”
The goals for the girls are ambitious but attainable: a third straight conference title, a second consecutive Section 8A crown, and an improved finish at state — ideally climbing from fourth into a podium spot. For the boys, the target is to crack the top three in conference and top five in section competition.
That won’t be easy, with stiff competition across both conference and section. On the boys’ side, Bertha-Hewitt, WDC, and OTC look strong in the Park Region Conference, while Hawley and Park Rapids lead the section. For the girls, WDC and Bertha-Hewitt pose challenges in the conference, and Hawley, Riverside Christian, Park Rapids, and Barnesville are all state-level threats in the Section 8A.
With a mix of seasoned seniors, talented underclassmen, and a strong summer of preparation, the Wolverines have the pieces in place for another memorable season.
“Our girls would like to win the conference for the third straight year, defend their section title, and get on the podium at state,” Heltunen said. “Our boys want to break into the top three in conference and the top five in section. With the work they’ve put in, both goals are within reach.”
UNC CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, Sept 2 – @ Wadena-Deerk Creek, 4:00pm
Saturday, Sept 13 – @ Sturgis Brown HS in Sioux Falls, SD, 9:50am
Tuesday, Sept 23 – @ Bertha Hewitt 4:00pm
Saturday, Oct 4 – Swain Invitational @ Duluth East, 11:00am
Tuesday, Oct 14 – Park Region Conference Meet @ Oakwood Golf Course (Henning), 4:00pm
Friday, Oct 24 – Section 8A Meet @ Bagley, 4:00pm