BREAKING: The Willmar Cardinals boys cross-country team is set to return to the state championship for the first time since 2021. After narrowly missing out in recent years, the team secured their spot by finishing second at the Section 8AA championship with 82 points, just behind Fergus Falls’ 77 points.
The boys’ race kicks off at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, followed by the girls’ race at 1 p.m. The excitement is palpable, especially for junior Zach Engstrom, who recalls the heartache of missing the state meet by just one point as a freshman. “Now I’ll get to know what that might have been like,” he said, looking forward to this monumental opportunity.
Under the leadership of first-year head coach Kim Shumlansky, the Cardinals have transformed their approach to racing, focusing on pacing and strategy. “There’s usually a lot of people that go out way too fast,” said junior Levi Twedt. “I’ve learned to pace properly and work my way up.”
The Willmar team, composed entirely of underclassmen, features three juniors, one sophomore, and three freshmen. This dynamic has fostered mentorship and teamwork, crucial for their success. Freshman John Spencer expressed appreciation for the support from his older teammates, saying, “They’ve been helping me with practices and pacing.”
The stakes are high as Willmar faces tough competition from top-ranked teams like Perham and Orono. Engstrom emphasized the goal: “It’s definitely a goal for everybody to run their fastest time of the season. This is when you want to peak.”
On the girls’ side, junior Gabby Martinez is also making her debut at the state meet after achieving a personal-best time of 19:23.8 earlier this season. She hopes to break through that time again on Saturday. “I’m really hoping that at state, I’ll have a breakthrough,” Martinez stated, as she prepares for a competitive field, including the top runner in Class AA, St. Peter’s Keira Freidrich, who holds the season’s best time at 17:52.0.
As the excitement builds, the Willmar Cardinals are not just competing for a title; they are chasing a dream that has been years in the making. The community is rallying behind them, eager to witness their journey at the state championships.
Stay tuned for live updates as Willmar aims for glory at the Class AA state meet!
