Becker’s eighth-grade phenom Lexi Dehmer — running in her first-ever state cross country meet —finished 88th out of 176 runners at St. Olaf College in Northfield last Saturday with a time of 19:48.9.
The race was won by Megan Hasz of Alexandria (13:40.9) followed by her twin sister, Bethany (13:44.4). The Haszes are just juniors.
The Hasz sisters were nearly shoulder-to-shoulder at the two-mile marker before Megan made a strong move en route to winning the 4,000-meter race in a state-record.
The weather was ideal with a full sunshiny sky and cool temperatures. Dehmer started out her part of the race in the back of the pack — maybe a little intimidated by the more-experienced girls — but worked her way out of the crowded field and finished strong.
“This is great experience for next year as well to be able to know what to expect at this level,” said Dehmer’s Coach Trisha Reimer-Kealy. “Lexi ran well in her first state meet experience among outstanding runners from around the state.”
Locals Madison McDermot (36th - 18:59.4) and Anna Fasen (72nd- 19:32.8) of Monticello also participated and ran well and Willmar’s team (from Section 8AA) took third behind Edina and Marshall.
