Austin sends two girls to state
Published 10:43 pm Thursday, October 28, 2010
Austin seventh grader Madison Overby runs at the Section 1AA meet in Owatonna Thursday. Overby was one of two Austin runners who advanced to state. -- Derek Sullivan/Owatonna People's Press
The Austin girls cross country team sent two runners to the Class ‘AA’ state meet at the Section 1A meet in Owatonna Thursday.
With the top-10 individuals advancing, Austin seventh grader Madison Overby took ninth and sophomore Haley Splinter took 10th to advance.
Austin sophomore Haley Splinter advanced to the state meet for the second time at Owatonna. -- Derek Sullivan/Owatonna's People's Press
Splinter beat out Albert Lea’s Bailey Thompson by five seconds to claim the last state qualifying spot.
It is the second career trip to state for Splinter, who was battling a slight ankle injury.
“At first Haley thought she had finished eleventh so she wasn’t happy,” Austin head coach Tony Einertson said. “She ran well and it’s great to get two girls to state.”
Overby shaved 23 seconds off her personal best time on a day that was chilly and windy and she finished ahead of a few runners who had beaten her in the Big Nine Invite a week ago.
“Madison ran a heck of a race,” Einertson said. “We told her to go a little harder and keep up with that first group of runners and it worked out great for her.”
The Austin girls team finished seventh after taking 14th last year in the section meet and the Austin boys took 11th as a team without any runners finishing in the top-30.
Austin's McKenzie Besel leads a pack of runners in Owatonna Thursday. -- Derek Sullivan/Owatonna People's Press
Junior Nate Schwab took 36th as he shaved three minutes off his section time from last season.
“It was a solid showing and the boys improved all season long,” Einertson said. “We had a wonderful season and they exceeded any expectations I had for them.”
RESULTS
Austin girls: Madison Overby (ninth, 15:12.3); Haley Splinter (10th, 15:19.9); McKenzie Besel (24th, 15:55.0); Justice Tabor (71st, 17:06.7); Kaitlynn Carrol (79th, 17:28.9); Annissa Zynda (84th, 17:53.5); Martha McDermott (91st, 18:06.8)
Austin boys: Nate Schwab (36th, 17:30.6); Zach Fadness (45th, 17:40.2); Max Gillen (58th, 18:04.9); Dylan Diekmann (59th, 18:06.2); Andrew Baker (71st, 18:30.3); Joe Gerber (84th, 18:53.6); Gabe Deyo (85th, 18:58.7)
