Girls' cross country: Piepenburg repeats

• Nelsen

Coach Mark Nelsen talks to the girls’ cross country team before they begin the Section 8AA meet.
• O'Brien, Goetsch

Randee O’Brien and Alexa Goetsch ran side by side in the girls’ race.

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It was a repeat for Cardinal freshman Jamie Piepenburg, as she won her second straight Section 8AA individual cross country championship Thursday as Alexandria hosted the Section 8AA cross country meet at Arrowwood.

Both she and sophomore Tess Boucher, who finished sixth individually, now advance to the State Class AA meet on Saturday.

“Jamie defended her second 8AA individual championship from a year ago, running her fastest 4k time,” said Cardinal head coach Mark Nelsen of Piepenburg’s 14:26.7 finish, “and this qualifies her for state competition.”

Boucher ran a 15:16.2 to earn her spot at state.

“Tess had some difficulty breathing after the 2k mark,” said Nelsen. “I was extremely impressed with the way she battled over the final 800 to maintain her position.”

Alexandria’s third finisher was junior Chelsey Richardson, who ran a 16:03.6.

“Chelsey took a risk and went out a little faster than she has in past races,” Nelsen noted. “She was disappointed that she was unable to hit her race goal.

“The coaches, however, admired her aggressiveness and determination. She is a great competitor.”

Rounding out the runners for the Cardinal team, which finished eighth overall, was junior Caitlin Canavati in 83rd, junior Randee O’Brien in 89th, junior Alexa Goetsch in 90th and sophomore Maxine Carlson in 97th.

“Caitlin has continued to improve weekly, dropping another 35 seconds off her best time from the week before,” said Nelsen. “Alexa and Maxine improved 43 and 64 seconds respectively from their race at the CLC.

“Randee was not 100 percent, but still ran her best time of 2008.”

Piepenburg and Boucher run at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 1 at St. Olaf College in Northfield.

SECTION 8AA GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY

TEAM SCORES – 1. Moorhead 69, 2. Becker 90, 3. Monticello 95, 4. Sartell 112, 5. Brainerd 150, 6. Rocori 186, 7. Little Falls 202, 8. Alexandria 205, 9. St. Michael-Albertville 240, 10. St. Cloud Apollo 241, 11. Fergus Falls 265, 12. Bemidji 333, 13. Big Lake 335, 14. St. Cloud Tech 374, 15. Detroit Lakes 404.

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION – Jamie Piepenburg 14:26.5.

ALEXANDRIA RESULTS – 1. Piepenburg 14:26.5, 6. Tess Boucher 15:16.2, 26. Chelsey Richardson 16:03.6, 83. Caitlin Canavati 17:50.3, 89. Randee O’Brien 18:06.2, 90. Alexa Goetsch 18:07.3, 97. Maxine Carlson 18:34.5.

Tags: sports, cross, country, alexandria, cardinals, section, 8aa