Goeson leads the way for the varsity race

The New York Mills Eagles cross country team began their competitive season on Monday, Aug. 29 as they traveled to Staples-Motley. They continued their season when they hosted a meet at Sonnenberg Trails in NY Mills on Thursday, Sept. 1. 

At the Staples meet the Eagles had numerous new members of the team and the entire team did very well for the first meet of the year. 

  In the junior high race, Brielle Malone placed third, while Maggy Weller placed 15th out of the field of 56 runners. 

In the varsity race for girls, Jada Goeson led the Eagles taking ninth out of 83 runners. The NY Mills girls placed seventh as a team. In the boys’ race, Simon Synder was the first Eagle to cross the line.

On Thursday, Sept. 1, NY Mills hosted a meet with teams from Wadena-Deer Creek, Ada-Borup and Otter Tail Central competing. 

In the junior high girls’ race, Maggy Weller placed third, while Jada Goeson was the first Eagle finisher in the varsity race as she took fourth. 

For the boys, Elijah Geiser was the first Eagle runner to complete the race.

“This week was a good start to our year.  We have a number of new runners who are finding out that they are capable of doing well in this sport. It is great to see the hard work all of our runners put in during practice and they will see it pay off as they improve their times during the season,” said head coach Greg Esala. 

Esala said the team would like to thank the volunteers who helped at their home meet and they would especially like to thank Bob and David Sonnenberg who allow the team to not only practice on their trails, but host NY Mills’ own cross county meets.

On a hot day, last Tuesday, the Eagles cross country team did very well as they competed at the Wadena-Deer Creek meet held at Whitetail Golf Course. 

The girls varsity team consisting of: Kaitllyn Geiser, Macy Koljonen, Katherine Garcia, Morgyn O’Dea, Jada Goeson, McKenzie Draves, Rosemary Laudenbach and Brielle Malone placed fourth out of eight teams. Jada Goeson was the top Eagle runner, taking second overall. 

For the boys, Elijah Geiser had the best time, placing 45th out of 83 runners as the varsity boys team placed eighth.  

In the junior high race for girls, Maggy Weller placed 22nd out of 61 runners.

“Our runners did very well, especially on a very hot day.  We are seeing some improved times and having our girls place 4th as a team was a real positive for our program,” said head coach Greg Esala.  

This week the Eagle runners host a meet on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at Sonnenberg Trails, before traveling to Ada for a meet on Thursday, Sept. 15.