UPDATE: The Willmar Cardinals boys cross-country team is gearing up for their long-awaited return to the state championship, taking place at Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights on October 28, 2023. After two consecutive third-place finishes, the Cardinals clinched their spot with a strong performance, securing 82 points to finish second in the Section 8AA championship.
Junior Zach Engstrom, who has felt the disappointment of narrowly missing state in previous years, expressed excitement about the opportunity. “It’ll be a fun experience. Now I’ll get to know what that might have been like,” he remarked. The boys race kicks off at 12:15 PM, with the girls following at 1 PM.
The Cardinals last qualified for state in 2021, and they are determined to make this appearance count. Engstrom, along with teammates Levi Twedt, Ruben Palacios, and freshman John Spencer, will be aiming for personal bests against a competitive field, including top-10 ranked teams like Perham and Orono.
First-year head coach Kim Shumlansky noted that the team had their sights set on state after a strong home meet on September 27. “We’re definitely in the running,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of pacing and strategy in high-pressure races. “There’s always someone to pass,” said Twedt, who has learned to avoid the pitfalls of starting too fast.
The team dynamic is unique, with no seniors on the squad, fostering mentorship among the juniors and freshmen. “It’s been nice,” said Spencer, highlighting the support from his older teammates. This camaraderie is a product of the program’s strong foundation starting from middle school.
In addition to the boys team, junior Gabby Martinez is making her state meet debut after clocking a personal-best time of 19:23.8 earlier this season. She aims to break that mark at state, focusing on maintaining a positive mindset through challenging workouts. “Having my parents by my side has definitely helped,” she said.
The excitement is palpable, as the Cardinals look to finish strong among the best in the state. With the boys race set for 12:15 PM and the girls at 1 PM, all eyes will be on the Willmar Cardinals as they chase their goals at this prestigious event. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 PM, where the culmination of their hard work will be celebrated.
Stay tuned for updates as the Willmar Cardinals compete for glory in the Class AA state meet.
