Nevis runners expecting to move up on competition – Park Rapids Enterprise
Nevis runners expecting to move up on competition Park Rapids Enterprise
Tom Stambaugh is expecting continued improvement from the Nevis boys and girls cross-country teams this fall. The Tigers return 13 of their 14 runners who …
The Tigers return 13 of their 14 runners who competed at last year’s Section 8A meet. Returning to lead Nevis this season are freshman Jade Rypkema for the girls and junior Jack McNamee for the boys.
Rypkema finished fifth at last year’s section meet to qualify for her second state Class A meet. Rypkema just missed earning all-state honors by placing 26th at state. Rypkema placed 91st in her state debut in 2017.
McNamee also qualified for state after placing 16th overall as the No. 6 individual qualifier at the section meet. McNamee placed 106th in his state debut.
Also returning from last year’s section meet for the girls are senior Lydia Bjorklund, junior Hailey Mowell, and freshmen Sarah Boettcher, Emily Funk and Molly Lindow. Lindow placed 65th, Funk was 77th, Bjorklund placed 105th, Mowell finished 107th and Boettcher was 108th as Nevis finished 12th with 291 points while competing as a full team for the first time. Bjorklund will serve as captain this season.
Rounding out the girls roster are sophomore Amber Gabriel, freshman Paige Schuft and seventh grader Grace McNamee.
“I look for nice improvement. Many of the girls put in consistent summer miles and will have a great year,” said Stambaugh. “Jade has shown she is one of the top distance runners in the state and will compete for a top spot at sections provided she has a healthy fall.”
All seven Nevis runners return for the boys, who finished 10th at last year’s section meet with 241 points. Joining McNamee from that section team are senior Michael Gunn; junior Jack Johnson; sophomores George Bjorklund, Tyler Gunn and Reese Mowell; and freshman Evan Pohl. Michael Gunn placed 34th, Pohl was 44th, Bjorklund finished 71st, Mowell was 85th, Johnson placed 97th and Tyler Gunn was 131st at last year’s section meet. Michael Gunn and McNamee will serve as captains this fall.
Looking to contend for starting spots and provide depth for the boys are sophomore Ty Warrington; eighth graders Elijah Peterson and Lealan Norby; and seventh grader Daniel Lindow.
“This group has had a great summer and I think they will be in the top 5 at sections if we stay healthy,” said Stambaugh. “We will have a couple athletes that will have a shot at finishing near qualifying spots for state. Jack can contend for a top 10 spot at sections and has an outside chance for all-state honors with a good race and a healthy year.”
Stambaugh is looking forward to seeing the progress his runners make as Nevis enters its third season back as a cross-country program.
“We are very young, but both our boys and girls have shown great improvement over the last two years,” said Stambaugh, who will be assisted by Jen McNamee and Doug Hanson. “The kids have exceeded my expectations on where this program would be after two years and it is 100 percent due to their commitment and effort.”