MADISON — Several impressive winners emerged here Thursday at the Section 3A cross country meet, and a majority of them were named Janiszeski.
Pete Janiszeski’s Luverne High girls won team honors and the veteran coach’s two sons finished first and second in the boys’ race to provide many of the highlights on a breezy day at the Madison Golf Course.
“Our kids did an outstanding job,” said Janiszeski. “It was very rewarding to watch.”
Junior standout Camden Janiszeski won the 5,000-meter boys’ race in 16:40.7. Camden’s younger brother, freshman Owen Janiszeski, was runner-up as the Cardinals finished second to Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson in the team race.
Meanwhile, the Luverne girls edged the Murray County Central/Fulda Warriors to earn the team title. Junior star Amanda Overgaauw of MCC/Fulda kept her unbeaten season intact by winning the 5K race in 18:01.58.
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Luverne’s Tenley Nelson and Jessa DeBates finished second and third, respectively, in the girls’ race. MCC/Fulda’s Ashley Overgaauw, the twin sister of Amanda, finished fourth.
“I was impressed with everybody,” said MCC/Fulda coach Dominick Damm of his girls. “We had a good team race.”
Brylei Schreier was ninth and Ella Stapek finished 22nd as the Warriors of MCC/Fulda held off a challenge from Canby/Minneota to earn a second-place finish and a trip to the state meet.
“Canby was pushing to try to get that second spot, and our kids stepped up and made sure we got it,” Damm said. “It was close and a fun race to watch. Both the boys and girls races were fast. There were some battles. It was good to see.”
The top two teams and top six individuals not on the state qualifying teams from Thursday’s competition advance to the state A meet on Nov. 6 in Northfield.
The Overgaauw sisters have been tremendous for two years on the cross country course. On Thursday, Amanda won her 10th race in as many tries this fall.
“She does an amazing job,” said coach Janiszeski. “Really a phenomenal runner. It’s a lot of fun to watch her race.”
The Luverne girls finished 2-3-11-14-20 for 50 points. That was a bit better than Murray County Central/Fulda (69 points) and Canby/Minneota (78).
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Janiszeski’s sons, meanwhile, made it a banner day for the family.
“It’s just something that you dream of,” said coach Janiszeski. “It takes a lot. It takes a special day. It’s a tribute to them and their hard work. It really doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
Others who earned trips to Northfield in the boys’ race included Redwood Valley’s Will Ahrens (third in 16:49.26) and Andrew Boyum of Jackson County Central (5th in 17:04.63).
Windom ninth-grader Kaylee Walklin also earned a state berth with a fifth-place finish in the girls’ race.
GIRLS
Top 10 team scores: Luverne 50, Murray County Central/Fulda 69, Canby/Minneota 78, Redwood Valley 106, Springfield/Cedar Mountain 133, Pipestone Area 174, Adrian-Ellsworth 232, Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson 233, Jackson County Central 260, Central Christian 286.
Top 10 Individuals: 1, Amanda Overgaauw, MCC/F, 18:01.58; 2, Tenley Nelson, Luverne, 18:31.63; 3, Jenna DeBates, Luverne, 18:46.44; 4, Ashley Overgaauw, MCC/F, 18:51.92; 5, Kaylee Walklin, Windom, 18:52.88; 6, Grace Drietz, Canby-Minneota, 19:26.54; 7, Claire Stoks, Canby-Minneota, 19:50.20; 8, Braelyn Merritt, Canby-Minneota, 20:05.41; 9, Brylei Schreier, MCC/F, 20:10.30; 10, Taylor Post, Pipestone, 20:23.53.
BOYS
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Top 10 team scores: Lac qui Parle/Dawson 75, Luverne 81, Canby-Minneota 93, Redwood Valley 127, Jackson County Central 140, Windom Area 141, Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey 186, Springfield/Cedar Mountain 247, Pipestone Area 261, Murray County Central/Fulda 281.
Top 10 Individuals: 1, Camden Janiszeski, Luverne, 16:40.70; 2, Owen Janiszeski, Luverne, 16:47.94; 3, Will Ahrens, Redwood Valley, 16:49.26; 4, Payton Sterud, Lac qui Parle Valley, 16:55.03; 5, Andrew Boyum, Jackson County Central, 17:04.63; 6, Zach Ourada, Canby-Minneota, 17:06.13; 7, Caden Strasser, Pipestone, 17:13.21; 8, Tim Salentiny, Heron Lake-Okabena, 17:14.72; 9, Kolton Duis, Canby-Minneota, 17:19.48; 10, Evan Paplow, Jackson Country Central, 17:24.69.
