RUNNERS - 2021 Girls cross country runners from left: Holly Bartness, Mady Schlaak, Annabelle Petsinger, Torri Vaale, Lexi McGannon, and Quinn VanMaldaghem. Panther Press photo
RUNNERS - 2021 Boys cross country runners, from left: Jacob Karl, Erin Arvis, Devon Nelton, Samuel Christensen, and Gavin Sletten. Panther Press photo
By Torri Vaale and Emily Pater
Panther Press
The NRHEG cross country team began its fall season about four weeks ago. With a month down and a little more than a month left, we are checking in with the coaches and captains to see how the season has gone and what they are hoping to see. We interviewed head coach Miles Otstot and team captains Torri Vaale and Conner Nelson to hear all about their 2021 season.
According to Otstot, the team is small in numbers; despite that, runners have been working hard and have had a great season so far. Otstot has been the head coach of NRHEG cross country for four years now. He says the biggest struggle he's having coaching this season is missing runners due to being sick. “We have had some meets where we have been missing a few individuals due to illness: that can be hard on a team with such low numbers.”
Torri Vaale, a senior and second-year captain of the cross country team, shared her hopes for the upcoming meets. “We now have a full varsity girls team so we are able to compete at a team level. My hopes are to start placing well and cut down on our times. If we keep working hard, we have a chance of placing very well at our conference meet.”
Conner Nelson, a junior and first-year captain of the cross country team, told us, “The season has been going great so far. I have seen a lot of improvement from all our runners. I’m excited to see everyone succeed.” He also shared his hopes for the rest of the season: “I hope we do great at conference and try our hardest to get our best times.”
There are many individuals on the team who have been standing out. “Quinn VanMaldeghem is having an amazing season; she placed second at our home meet last Tuesday. Last year she was a state qualifier and we are hoping to get her to qualify again. Torri Vaale put in a lot of work this past summer and it's really showing,” said Coach Otstot. “On the boys’ team, Devon Nelton has been running very good races and putting in lots of work.”
Conner Nelson said, “Devon Nelton has really stood out to me most because it is his first year and he is already thriving. He is currently one of our top runners and is pushing himself every day in practice. I can tell that he is going to finish the season with flying colors.”
Captain Vaale said, “Holly Bartness has been putting in hard work and it really shows in her [finish] times. She's been constantly improving and I believe she has the potential to be really good. For the boys, Gavin Sletten has shown major improvement throughout this season and I look forward to seeing what else he can accomplish.”
Overall the NRHEG cross country team has had a great beginning and participants are excited to see how the rest of their season will unfold. With only 5 meets left, they are hoping to finish out their season strong. “Our last two meets are our most important. and what we have been working to get better for,” said Otstot. The conference meet this year will be held at the Riverview Golf Course in New Richland on October 19.