Bloomington runners go the distance at state cross country meet
Photo: The Jefferson boys cross country celebrates runner-up finish at Section 2AAA meet while holding up five fingers to represent their fifth consecutive year qualifying for state as a team.
Cross country runners from Jefferson and Kennedy high schools competed at the state meet, held Nov. 1 at the University of Minnesota Les Bolstad golf course.
The Jefferson boys team qualified for state for the fifth consecutive year. Runners included Logan Young, Alexander (Lexi) Altstatt, Patrick (Tito) Altstatt, Charles Moen, Conor Sweeney, Vaughn Watts, and Carl Stockert.
The boys team finished second in the 2AAA section meet and third in the Metro West Conference meet. Head coach Sean Faulk was also named Section 2AAA Coach of the Year for the boys team.
Jefferson seniors Amelia Borgen and Avery Rich from the girls team made their third and fourth appearances at state, respectively. Borgen placed 16th in the 5000m run with a time of 18:28 and earned all-state honors.
Photo: The Kennedy boys cross country team celebrates their Tri-Metro Conference championship.
Kennedy junior Graham Wood competed as an individual at state, qualifying after placing 12th at sections. The Kennedy boys team won the Tri-Metro Conference championship, led by Wood (2nd), Samuel Kaufman (4th), Hunter Heinz (6th), Julian Hayes (8th) and Noah Terpening (11th).