Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Runners take off at Saturday's Souris Valley Invite at Souris Valley Golf Course in Minot. The Minot High girls cross country team finished first at the meet, while the boys finished fifth.

Majettes cross country wins Souris Valley Invite, Magi finish fifth

As Souris Valley Golf Course became soaked in mud and puddles, the Minot High School girls cross country team rose to the challenge.

The Majettes earned first place during Saturday’s Souris Valley Invite. The Minot boys cross country team took fifth place at the teams’ lone regular-season home meet.

Majettes

“It was definitely interesting,” Majettes head coach Carla Wahlund said. “The first 200 meters at the start were quite a few puddles that they had to run through. Other than that, when they got into the back side of the course, it got a little bit better.”

Seven Minot runners earned top 45 finishes, and the team posted an average time of 20:13.40. Senior Abigail Hoffarth paced the Majettes, as her time of 19:51 earned the No. 11 spot.

“There was a lot of competition to push everyone,” Hoffarth said. “Even though it was stressful, it was a good kind of stress.”

Freshman Trinity Jessen was not far behind, finishing in the No. 19 position with a 20:08. Senior Emma Compere earned the No. 22 spot with her 20:15 time.

“It was pretty cold, but the course felt fast,” Compere said. “It was a pretty fun race. The puddles were pretty brutal.”

Two underclassmen and two upperclassmen rounded out the Majettes’ top scorers.

Freshman Lily-ana Campbell’s 20:16 clinched No. 24, while senior Allie Wahlund’s 20:37 was good for the No. 33 position.

Sophomore MaLiah Burke’s 20:53 slotted her in the No. 39 spot, while senior Abbie Wahlund finished in the No. 44 position with her time of 20:55.

“We definitely have a strong seven who are getting closer and closer to one another,” Carla said. “Working hard in practice and continuing to do the little things that become the big things toward the end of the season is important for us. We’re continuing to have fun and work hard.”

Minot recorded a team score of 109.

Magicians

The Magi earned three top 40 finishes and five top 55 finishes. The boys posted an average time of 17:27, recording 183 points as a team.

“We’ve looked really good in practice,” Minot head coach Lance Gehring said. “We’ve missed a meet and had a week off to put some time in for training. We’re seeing it pay off. It’s coming around to that point in time, and our work is paying off.”

Seniors Kaiden Meyer and William Walker-Rozo finished with identical times of 17:04. Meyer and Walker-Rozo finished No. 17 and No. 18, respectively.

“It’s pretty fun being out here with the guys,” Meyer said. “We did pretty well as a team, I’d say. It’s just a good atmosphere when we’re at home and have the home fans cheering for us.”

Freshman William Barrington cemented his No. 40 spot with a 17:31, while sophomore Oscar Hultz found the No. 53 position after his time of 17:36.

Senior Noah Jacobs finished closely behind Hultz, as Jacobs’ 17:50 clinched the No. 55 position.

“I realized that after this year, I’m really going to miss my (teammates) when I continue in college,” Walker-Rozo said. “I plan on coming back and seeing them run.”

Both teams will compete in Regionals on Oct. 12. The meet will be held at Jamestown’s Parkhurst Recreation Area.

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.