Running against Good Competition
The Prior Lake cross country teams faced some good competition Sept. 11.
Both Laker teams were in the Lakeville Applejack Invitational at Aronson Park, which attracts many of the state's top programs. The boys team ended up sixth out of 20 teams, while the girls were 12th out of 18 schools.
It was Prior Lake's first race in 13 days and the first 5,000-meter and 4,000-meter runs for both the boys and girls, respectively. The Lakers opened the season Aug. 29 in the two-mile Irish Invitational in Rosemount.
Meanwhile, at the Lakeville invite, sophomore Colin Dwyer led the boys team. He finished fifth overall with a time of 16:24.30. The Lakers finished with 189 points, well back of No. 7-ranked White Bear Lake's winning total of 97.
Minnetonka was runner-up (156), followed by No. 8 Rosemount (161), Lakeville North (176) and Centennial (182).
The Lakers had three runners in the top 30. Junior Trenton Galloway finished 20th (16:50.30), while senior Ben Garrison was 28th (17:05.10). Prior Lake's No. 4 and 5 runners were senior Shawn Doherty in 49th (17:22.40) and sophomore Thomas Vallez in 90th (17:57.0).
Other finishers: sophomore Devon Genrick (107th, 18:10.40) and sophomore Noah Torvik (118th, 18:24.60).
On the girls side, the Lakers finished with 299 points. Fifth-ranked Edina won (64), followed by No. 8 East Ridge (78), No. 7 Eagan (78), No. 4 Minnetonka (96) and No. 11 Lakeville South (136).
Seventh-grader Mallory Stach led the Lakers taking 24th overall with a time of 15:21.70. Sophomore Gabrielle Brinkley was 49th (15:52.50), followed by junior Olivia Thielen (65th, 16:13.20), sophomore Grace Jondal (83rd, 16:35.0), ninth-grader Makenna Engobos (114th, 17:07.80), sophomore Tia Peterson (134th, 17:31.80), senior Reka Bako (146th, 18:06.60) and sophomore Sydney Yotter (153rd, 18:38.0).
Prior Lake was without sophomore Madi Scholl, who was in a walking boot. She's one the team's top runners.
Both Prior Lake teams will compete in the Milaca Mega Meet Sept. 20 at Stones Throw Golf Course starting at 10 a.m.
To see more photos of the Laker boys at the invite, go to Scoreboard's Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.866376796721005.1073742203.197190936972931&type=3.
For more girls photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.866370636721621.1073742202.197190936972931&type=3.