For the third year in a row, the Detroit Lakes cross country boys' team are Mid-State Conference champions.
It's not being unnoticed by the other Mid-State teams, either, as the Lakers were running with the target on their back throughout the race.
"With us winning the Mid-State the last two years, we were the red-headed monster and you could hear the other teams cheering against us because they want someone else to win it," said DL head coach Bill Kvebak. "In a sense, it is us against the world when we run in the conference meet."
But the Lakers didn't walk away with the meet, as Crosby-Ironton was just two points off DL for first place. It was the first meet the Rangers have lost this season, as well.
"We knew coming in that C-I was a very good team," Kvebak said. "But the key was we had seven runners in front of their front five. If our seventh runner Mike Okeson doesn't finish ahead of their fifth runner, we lose."
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The Lakers had four on the All-Conference team, including Wes Bakken (third place), Jason Stallman (seventh), Travis King (ninth) and Zach Foltz (10th).
"Our one through seventh runners made the difference," the DL coach added.
Rounding out DL's finishes were Pat Bakken in 11th, Tom Sorum in 13th and Okeson taking 15th, which was two places ahead of C-I's fifth runner.
"It was definitely a team effort, there's no second thought about it," Kvebak said. "Zach Foltz also has climbed the ladder, after starting on junior varsity to start the year, to being an All-Conference runner now."
The Laker girls also had a good performance with a second-place finish behind Park Rapids by 25 points.
Freshman Abby Ulloytt was the lone All-Conference runner for the Lakers after she finished seventh with a time of 16:34.01.
Each of Anne Holzgrove (13th place), Veronica Haverkamp (15th) and Sarah Schumacher (17th) were top 20 finishers. Other Laker finishers included Mackenzie Foltz (21st), Kenzie Ostlie (23rd), Kiki Schumacher (27th) and Rachel Wentz (32nd.)
The Laker junior varsity boys also won the their conference banner, with six in the top 10. They included first-place finisher Jordan Thielen, second-place Jacob Fritz, third-place Isaac Clem, fifth-place Tim McKagan, eighth-place Montana Johnson and 10th place Anthony Meyer.
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The Lakers will be in Park Rapids Monday before they prepare for the Section 8-2A meet which is Thursday, Oct. 27, at Rocori.
Laker results
Mid-State Conference meet in Staples-Motley, Thursday, Oct. 13.
Boys team results -- Detroit Lakes 40, Crosby-Ironton 42, Staples-Motley 108, Park Rapids 108, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 109, Pequot Lakes 126, Wadena-Deer Creek 181.
DL boys results -- 3. Wes Bakken 17:40.54; 7. Jason Stallman 17:56.09; 9. Travis King 17:58.01; 10. Zach Foltz 17:58.70; 11. Pat Bakken 18:02.48; 13. Tom Sorum 18:22.06; 15. Michael Okeson 18:25.84.
DL JV boys results (1st as team) -- 1. Jordan Thielen 18:37.51; 2. Jacob Fritz 19:25.67; 3. Isaac Clem 19:44.25; 5. Tim McKagan 20:27.85; 8. Montana Johnson 20:35.57; 10. Anthony Meyer 20:38.83; 11. Michael Richter 20:39.45; 13. Austin Clem 20:48.90; 14. Cade Benson 20:56.19; 18. Devin Lange 21:11.67; 19. Cody Johnson 21:14.36; 20. Cody Edwards 21:15.77; 21. Jared Olson 21:16.54.
Girls team results -- Park Rapids 43, Detroit Lakes 68, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 75, Pequot Lakes 82, Crosby-Ironton 100, Staples-Motley 136.
DL girls results -- 7. Abby Ulloytt 16:34.01; 13. Anne Holzgrove 17:01.36; 15. Veronica Haverkamp 17:18.51; 17. Sarah Schumacher 17:26.00; 21. Mackenzie Foltz 17:43.34; 23. Kenzie Ostlie 17:45.15; 27. Kiki Schumacher 18:00.93; 32. Rachel Wentz 18:16.19.
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DL JV girls results (1st as team) -- 5. Berit Ramstad-Skoyles 18:42.06; 6. Paige Blonigan 18:46.24; 7. Emily Zok 18:52.27; 8. Tanisha Perlmutter 19:13.33; 11. Dana Langworthy 19:48.48; 13. Courtney Flynn 20:05.56; 14. Lauren Lies 20:15.86; 22. Celeste Koppe 22:43.15.
