The Becker Girls Cross Country team won the Section 5AA team championship held in Becker Thurs., Oct. 28! The victory moved them  on to the state meet that was run on last Saturday (see separate story elsewhere in this week’s Patriot). 

Also of note, Head Coach Trish Kealy was named Section Coach of the Year by her peers.

The course and conditions were a bit soggy after a couple of rainy days but the temperature was ideal in that it was cooler than most of the regular season. Also, the winds were low and that always aids the runners when the breezes don’t affect the racers.

“This was a huge win for the girls with making it to the state meet as a team is always a goal and always a difficult task to attain,” said Becker Head Coach Trish Kealy.

The girls team scores: Becker  54, Monticello 56, Spectrum 89, St. Cloud Apollo 149, Zimmerman 150, St. Cloud Tech 175, St Francis 179, Foley 198, Princeton 203, Big Lake 235, Sauk Rapids-Rice 262 and Milaca 299.

“The healthy rivalry with Monticello that we have had for some time now, was once again in play,” said Kealy. “Both teams have been ranked in the state coach’s poll.”  

The Magic team ran a very good race, but on this day the Bulldogs were able to pull out the win by two points. 

“Monticello is always a classy and well coached team,” said Kealy.

This race saw each of Becker’ girls racing well and  — even with wet conditions — Kealy had two girls attain PR times and one a season best.

“Ninth grader Ella McDonald really stepped up her efforts this race and challenged herself to stay up as close to the leaders as possible,” said Kealy.  

The eventual medalist was Hailee Zimple from Zimmerman, who ran 18:54.08.

Becker’s McDonald was able to finish in fourth place with a PR time of 19:44.87 (her previous best was 20:40.7).

Only three and four places behind her were Becker’s next two runners. Turning in another solid performance in seventh place with a time of 20:09.72 was Lexi Rose - who has been a consistent runner for Becker and once again proved her worth.

Olivia Babler placed eighth right behind Rose. Her time was a time of 20:12.13 for a 37 second PR.  She has been dropping her times all season.

The Monticello girls at this point had Mahoney place second and had their next four runners come in all in a row to place 12th-13th-14th and 15th to finish their scoring runners.  But Becker was not finished yet and the next three runners came in 17th-18th-19th to bring in to tally Becker’s top six runners.  Tasha Berthiaume kicked up her efforts and was Becker’s fourth runner to come in. She placed 17th in a season best time of 21:12.96 (previous SB was 21:29.1). Brooklyn Karel and Bella Duncombe were 18th and 19th with Brooklyn running 21:14.32 and Bella 21:17,11. 

“Again, these girls used their pack running to engage on another to be better,” said Kealy. 

The final Becker runner was Alea Briggs, just three spots back in 22nd — running a time of 21;38.92, which is just off her PR time.  

“This put all of our runners through the chute before Monti’s number sixth and seventh,” Kealy said.  “We were lucky to have our two alternates (Katelyn Brower and Kayla Gruenes) ready to go before the race in case they were called upon to replace a runner. It is good that we did not have to use our alternates but reassuring that we have quality runners waiting if needed.”

Kealy could hardly contain her pride in her team.  

“They have worked together as a unit all season and improved each meet to get to the point they are at now,” she said.  “They have run in a really focused manner and are not afraid of the challenge of each race. Their persistence over each course shows.  They trust one another and have each other’s backs!  It is rare to have a team that works this well together.” 

Kealy said she was extremely honored to be voted Section Coach of the Year by the coaches in her section.  

“I have the utmost respect for them and it is truly a reflection of the girls on our team,” she humbly said.

“We would like to thank Pebble Creek Golf Course for allowing us to host our section meet on their course,” she continued. “They are always very gracious and patient with us.  Also appreciation goes out to our activities office — Dave Niemi and Jesse O’Neill — for all their work and organization, and all the many workers who helped out.  Not forgetting our parents and their concession stand and the Hubbard’s for allowing us to set up some things in their yard!”