Last Thursday, the  Section 5AA cross country championship meet was held at Monticello’s Bertram Chain of Lakes Park.  The day started out with drizzle but cleared up right before the girls race began.

Becker’s girls team repeated as the Section 5AA Champions and have advanced to the state meet to be held at St Olaf on Fri.,  Nov. 4 where they will compete at 2:30 p.m.

Team scores at the Section meet were: Becker 50, Monticello 55, Spectrum 70, Zimmerman 88, Big Lake 178, Princeton 181, St. Cloud Tech 188, Foley 193, Milaca 198. Incomplete teams were Sauk Rapids-Rice, St Cloud Apollo, St Francis.

The top two teams and the first six individuals not on those two teams qualify for the state meet.

Adele Changamire continues to impress and ran another PR time as she placed fourth overall. She ran a time of 18:54.2 and becomes the first Becker girl to run a time faster than 19:00. The previous fastest time was held by Alli Hendrickson (19:00.59), who went on to a successful career running at Winona State. 

Becker had three girls run faster than 20:00 - along with Adele, Ella McDonald placed ninth with a PR time of 19:34.0 as she crossed the finish line with a big smile! Lexi Rose also ran sub-20 with a time of 19:54.8, though she struggled a bit with her breathing in this race while placing 12th.  

Coming in as a tough pack were Alea Briggs in 14th with a strong finish at 20:47.1 and Olivia Babler in 15th right behind her in 20:47.2.

Brooklyn Karel placed 16th with a time of 20:56.9 and rounding out the Becker squad was Bella Duncombe in 24th with a time of 21:43.3,

There were a total of 70 runners finishing this race.

“We are very excited to be representing our school and section at the state meet again this year and are hoping for a good turnout at St Olaf to watch the race and to watch the four boys from Becker who have also qualified,” said Head Coach trish Kealy. “I am so proud of our group!”

Also earning All State Academic on Thursday (top 15 finishers in grades 10-12 with a GPA of 3.75 or higher) was Lexi Rose and Alea Briggs.

“A big thanks goes out to all who have supported us all season,” said Kealy.