Since the original name of Cleveland was Cherry Creek Run, it was fitting that yesterday’s cross country meet there, the first on Clipper turf, followed the banks of the narrow waterway.
A modest meet, Loyola/Cleveland and Lester Prairie were the only entrants.
In a field of 18, the Crusader boys varsity took all top five spots. Soren Kelly won the race in 17:10.93. Sam Vetter was second with a 17:37.65 finish. Kyle Zimmerman was third with an 18:19.18, TJ Waldron was fourth with a 18:36.05, and Mitchell Bulboltz was fifth with a 18:46.02.
Pushing the quintet, Case Kijenski finished in sixth place with a 19:56.55, Andrew Tieva was ninth with a 21:39.05.
Crossing the finish stripe in 23:08.34, Elijah Mons took 13th place. Jax Leagjeld was 16th with a 23:31.18.
With an 18:54 finish, Charlotte Meyer beat out a dozen other varsity girl runners. Teammates Valarie Quast was fourth with a 21:58.46, Gisele McCabe was fifth with a 22:10.09, Molly Koester was sixth with a 22:42.96, and Izzy Endres was seventh with a 22:48.65.
Kate Daly was eighth with a 23:21.87, Teya Waagner was ninth with a 24:48.62, and Charlotte Kirschner was 11th with a 25:32.96.
The Bulldogs didn’t have any runners in the junior high boys 2500 race. Francis Bierer won it in 10:02.37. Reece Nelson was second with a 10:17.91 finish.
Assistant coach Casey Olson said the Crusader coaches will look at continuing with the meet in future years.
“It was something that we were excited to have here. It’s good for the Cleveland community. We have some ideas in mind how we can improve it for future years, and we are looking on how we can make that happen.”
While the course had its share of inclines, Meyer said it wasn’t the hilliest course she’d ran, but the hairpin corners really jumped out at her.
“You turn out of nowhere.”
But the eighth grader said she liked the course and the meet overall.
“I didn’t have to miss classes or ride a bus. Riding the bus back is kind of fun, but riding to, everyone is kind of nervous.”
She also valued the effort it took to set up a brand-new venue.
“I really appreciate my coaches coming out here and trying to figure out the miles, Rich Kern driving his dirt bike around (to lead the runners) and all the neighbors and community that helped set it up.”
Meyer, Waldron and the rest of the Crusaders return to action on October 3 with a meet on the Sleepy Eye Golf Course.
Above: Charlotte Meyer comes up on the bridge over Cherry Creek near the football field.
