By Becca Van Schepen –

The Eagles were up against Big Bertha.  No, they were not up against a German siege howitzer from WWI.  Nor were they up against a Callaway golf club.  They were up against the infamous hill at the MCC cross country course, nicknamed “Big Bertha.”  

This MCC course was one of the most challenging the Eagles will see this season because of the elevation changes.  The course includes “Big Bertha,” one very intense uphill that would make any spectator need a breather.  It also includes several lengthy inclines, and then you do it all over again in another lap!  And which way do you think the final chute runs?  You guessed it: uphill.

In the girls’ varsity race, 49 runners participated.  The top Eagle finisher was Olivia Muyskens claiming 20th place and running the course in 23:53.  Shaylee Van Essen crossed the finish line at 24:45 to take 28th place.  Next for the Eagles was Hannah Masselink (34th) finishing with a time of 25:20.  In 37th place was  Alexia Vander Pol (26:10).  Rounding out the Eagles varsity team were Zoe Nonginthirath (27:32) and Kylee Brands (27:35) in 43rd and 44th place, respectively. 

Winning the girls’ varsity race was Amanda Overgauw from MCC, completing the 5K race in 17:48.  The top girls’ varsity team was MCC with an impressive 19 points.  second was Pipestone Area with 60 points. Adrian-Ellsworth (74) took 3rd place in front of Jackson County Central with 99.  SWC/E came in 5th with a team score of 121, and 6th was Worthington finishing with 138 team points.

In the boys’ varsity race, 58 runners competed in the uphill battle.  Mason Hamm took the top spot for the Eagles, claiming 27th place and coming in at 19:34.  Next for the Eagles was Gabe Vis (32nd) finishing with a time of 20:07.  Eli Van Iperen (21:41) took 42nd place.  

Claiming 1st in the boys’ varsity race was Mikele Walu from Worthington, crossing the finish in 16:20.  Worthington took the team title with 27 points.