The Becker girls cross country team won the Mississippi 8 Conference CC meet Tuesday in Big Lake!

The meet was held Oct. 19 at Big Lake and the weather was very nice, if a bit warm.  The Becker girls had a great day racing and brought home both the varsity and the JV team championships.

Team scores were: Becker 31, Monticello 39, Chisago Lakes 119,St Francis 120, Cambridge-Isanti 123, Princeton 148, Big Lake 175 and North Branch 176.

The team trophy returns to Becker after Monticello won it in 2020 and the Bulldogs won it in 2019.

“The girls really have been running well as a team and their teamwork and pack pushed us over the top this meet,” said Becker Head Coach Trish Kealy. “Our top five girls all earned PRs, our sixth nabbed a season best and our seventh and eighth also PRd.”

Lexi Rose placed third overall with a time of 20:00.5 and running a really strong race.  Ella McDonald placed fifth in 20:40.7, Olivia Babler sixth in 20:50.8 and Brooklyn Karel seventh in 0:55.1.  

This grouping was really well done,” said Kealy.  

Bella Duncombe had a great finish and was not far behind the other Becker girls. She placed 10th with a time of 21:10.2 and Kealy says “she is looking to go under 21 soon!”

Becker’s three remaining runners were all excited to go below 22:00. Tasha Berthiaume really pushed herself to get 13th in 21:29.1 - her best time this year. Alea Briggs and Katelyn Brower placed 16th and 18th and ran very good times of 21:37.0 and 21:47.8. It was Brigg’s second time below 22:00 and Brower’s first time below 22:00.

Becker’s top seven girls each earned ‘All Conference’ honors - which are given to the top 16 runners. Brower was honorable mention.  

“It is really very unusual to have that many runners on a team get ‘All Conference’ honors,” said Kealy. “I am so proud of how they have persisted all season.”

 The JV girls race had Becker winning with 20 points.

Meghan Swanson  ran a really good race - she was leading most of the race  and was just passed in the final mile to place second with a PR time of 22:21.1.  

“She has not had a lot of experience in these 5Ks and really impresses with her determination and willingness to run hard,” said Kealy.  

Just behind her was Kayla Gruenes - running a smart race- keeping her eye on Swanson.  Kayla’s time of 22:24.6 gave her third place. Raelee Lyon placed fourth in 22:45.3 - continuing to improve her racing. Regan Hausmann was impressive in getting her PR time of 22:45.3 for fifth place and Natalie Trenz ran 22:47.7 for sixth place.  

“It was so exciting to see this group of runners come in to finish all in a row like that,” Kealy said.

Myli Praught placed 19th, Raegan Leaders 21st, Paige Maunu 22nd, Mina Nelson 24th, Anna Kuklok 35th and MacKenna Smith 38th.

“This is the final race for almost all of these JV runners and we are so proud of them this year,” said Becker’s head coach.  “Each meet they have really competed well and improved.” 

The middle school girls finished their season as well with Sophia Malisheski running strong, coming away with second place.  Chloe Peterson (11th) and Kaylyn Rickard (12th) also ran well - placing in the top half of the race.

Thursday, Becker hosted the MSHSL Section 5AA  Championship Meet at Pebble Creek starting with the boys running at 3:30 p.m. and the girls at 4:15 p.m. Check back next week in the Patriot to see the results!