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Sophomore 35th in girls event
Molly Brophy had her best performance yet, Mattie Lindsay experienced the big stage for the first time, while Caid Chittum closed out his prep career with a solid outing.
All three Timberwolves had days to remember and be happy about, as they competed last Saturday in high school cross country’s state meet.
Brophy, an Ely sophomore, took 35th overall in a field of 160 in the Class A girls event, held in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota.
Lindsay capped her freshman season with her state debut and placed 62nd overall with career-best time, and Chittum made his third straight trip to state and wound up 87th in the boys Class A race.
“The three of them set goals at the beginning of the season and worked hard to get there,” said Ely Head Coach Jayne Dusich. “I’m proud of these kids and they did wonderful.”
The state meet was held on a spongy wet course after rain the day before, but the Ely athletes encountered good conditions on the day of the event, with temperatures climbing into the mid-50s on a sunny November afternoon.
Brophy, who has advanced to state each season since seventh grade, jumped 11 spots from her freshman campaign and wound up 35th with a time of 20:02.
“This was Molly’s best State meet of four years,” said Dusich. “Moving up from 46 to 35 and running
Photos by Ken Hupila, Snotty Moose Photography.
a 20:02. She was hoping to get under 20:00 which she would have but the first mile she was boxed and nowhere to move up.”
Brophy was within about 20 seconds of a top-20 finish while everyone chased winner Audrey Brownell of Staples-Motley who won in 18:17.2.
Lindsay advanced to State for the first time after placing 11th in Section 7A, and she wound up in the top-half of the field at number-62, with a time of 20:36.3.
“Mattie had a great race placing 62nd and running her PR of 20:36 and feeling good the whole race,” said Dusich. “Caid, Molly and Mattie were serious and focused for their races. I think it helped both Molly and Mattie that they could warm up together and keep each other excited for their race.”
Chittum was the only Ely boy to advance south, finishing 87th in 17:42.2.
“While Caid’s third state meet was not his best it wasn’t terrible either,” said Dusich. “Caid had two awesome races this season. The first one was winning the IRC meet and then placing third at sections.”
Freshman Erik Semling of Cotter/Hope won the Class A boys title in 15:23.5. The two Section 7A teams at the event, Greenway and South Ridge, took 10th and 13th, respectively. Redwood Valley won the boys state title as a team.
On the girls’ side, Cotter/ Hope won the team championship while 7A’s Carlton- Wrenshall took ninth, and Greenway was 11th.
