SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KWAD) — United North Central Cross Country took on one of the region’s deepest fields at Saturday’s Nike Heartland Preview at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Saturday, with the Warriors’ girls placing 13th in a 20-team field and the boys finishing 28th among 29 teams.
“This meet presented the kids with the opportunity to run against some elite talent in the mid-west,” said head coach Ed Heltunen. “This was the warmest meet we have run at for some time as the temp peaked at 90 degrees. It was upper 70s when the JV ran and 80s when the varsity ran. The course is a fast flat course that is used for the Nike Heartland Cross Regional race in November. The kids ran very well despite the heat.”
Meet champions set the tone early. Harrisburg’s (SD) Brianna Reilly won the girls race in 17:10.10, edging Sioux Falls Christian’s Ellie Maddox (17:35.30), while Winona (Minn.) Cotter standout Erik Semling captured the boys title in 15:16.5. Sioux Falls Christian claimed the girls team crown out of 20 teams, and Lincoln North Star (Neb.) won the boys team title out of 29.
UNC senior Macie Josephson headlined the Warriors’ day with a 19th-place finish in 19:44.20, pacing a scoring pack that delivered 13th overall: Anaya Aho (54th, 21:08.40), Joanna Lehto (106th, 22:43.50), Miley Westberg (114th, 22:55.50) and Elsa Komppa (126th, 23:05.00). Depth came from Eva Lehto (23:10.60), Maelle Haverinen (25:05.80) and Erika Keranen (25:18.50). Sioux Falls Christian topped the girls standings with 53 points, followed by Harrisburg (92) and Omaha Marian (95). UNC totaled 336 for 13th.
On the boys side, senior Drew Aho led United North Central in 17:41.10 over 5,000 meters. The Warriors’ scoring five included Rohan Kuschel (21:24.50), Gavin Schreiber (21:28.60), Darryl Haverinen (22:12.10) and Nolan Heltunen (22:15.80) as UNC placed 28th with 755 points. Lincoln North Star won the boys team race with 66 points, ahead of Farmington (130) and Sioux Falls Washington (133).
“This race was a chance to go and race in a big crowd of kids in a different atmosphere and the kids had a blast on our trip,” said Heltunen. “Many kids were affected by the heat which led to slower times overall, but cooler weather is coming we believe. Our 5th-12th graders have a chance to go to another fast course in Bertha on the 23rd.”
UNC Results — Girls (5K)
19 Macie Josephson — 19:44.20; 54 Anaya Aho — 21:08.40; 106 Joanna Lehto — 22:43.50; 114 Miley Westberg — 22:55.50; 119 Elsa Komppa — 23:05.00; 126 Eva Lehto — 23:10.60; 165 Maelle Haverinen — 25:05.80; 168 Erika Keranen — 25:18.50
Team — Girls (Top 10; UNC 13th)
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Sioux Falls Christian 53; 2. Harrisburg 92; 3. Omaha Marian 95; 4. Rapid City Stevens 115; 5. Hopkins 135; 6. Spearfish 180; 7. Farmington 223; 8. Tea Area 235; 9. O’Gorman 243; 10. Brookings 293.
(UNC 13th, 336)
UNC Results — Boys (5K)
66 Drew Aho — 17:41.10; 218 Rohan Kuschel — 21:24.50; 221 Gavin Schreiber — 21:28.60; 229 Darryl Haverinen — 22:12.10; 233 Nolan Heltunen — 22:15.80
Team — Boys (Top 10; UNC 28th)
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Lincoln North Star 66; 2. Farmington 130; 3. Sioux Falls Washington 133; 4. Rapid City Stevens 167; 5. Cotter/Hope 172; 6. Hopkins 214; 7. Sioux Falls Christian 244; 8. Philip 245; 9. Harrisburg 287; 10. Rapid City Central 349.
(UNC 28th, 755)