Humboldt runners have high expectations
Returning letter winners for the Humboldt cross country program, front row (l-r): Madeleine Ruzicka, Shelby Hayden, Kallie Nilles, Lauren Erickson and Bryce Gidel. Back row: Quinton Orr, Calvin Carlson, Joe Kunert, Devon Coon, Noah Helmer and Tyler Craven. Not pictured: Isabella Luu. Independent photo. See more photos at www.humboldtnews.com.
The Humboldt High Cross Country team has been in the midst of something great in recent years and look for it to continue in 2018.
Veteran head coach Dean Clasen returns for his 21st season leading the Wildcats. The Wildcat girls are coming off a seventh-place finish in last year’s Class 3A state meet. Humboldt easily won their fifth straight North Central Conference title last year, eighth out of the last nine years and appear poised for another crown.
The boys were edged out by two points from winning last year’s conference meet, but return plenty of experience to challenge again.
“Our girls look pretty strong again this year and should be favored in our conference and our boys will be up there competing again,” Clasen said.
“The numbers for the boys have been pretty steady, around 30. The girls’ numbers have jumped to 30, which is pleasant to see. So we have around 60 on our squad and we are balanced throughout all four grades,” Clasen said.
“The future looks good for the boys because of our numbers in ninth and 10th grade and the talent in those classes,” Clasen said. “Hopefully that will give us more depth so we can start a run like what we have with the girls in recent years.”
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