The Waseca Bluejay Cross Country teams closed out their 2024 season on Thursday afternoon, competing in the MSHSL Section 1AA Championships at Bancroft Bay Park in Albert Lea. Running against some of the toughest programs in southern Minnesota, the Bluejays turned in a strong effort across the board, highlighted by an outstanding state-qualifying performance from 8th grader Ellie Kopischke.
Girls Battle to Sixth-Place Finish
The Waseca girls finished sixth overall in a deep and talented nine-team field. Northfield captured the section title with a score of 24 points, followed by Winona (58) and Byron (132).
Kopischke led the way for the Bluejays, placing 10th overall in 20:07.1 to secure an individual berth to the 2025 MSHSL State Class AA Meet. She will represent Waseca at the Les Bolstad Golf Course on the campus of the University of Minnesota on Saturday, November 1st, with the girls’ Class AA race beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Behind Kopischke, Maren Schimming (29th, 21:17.6), Quinn Yoder (36th, 21:54.7), Taylor Markeson (39th, 22:00.3), and Ava VanDenHemel (42nd, 22:14.4) rounded out Waseca’s scoring five, while Leah Wilson (57th, 23:16.6) provided solid depth.
Girls Team Results (Top 6):
Northfield – 24
Winona – 58
Byron – 132
Austin – 140
Pine Island – 141
Waseca – 146
Boys Place 12th Overall in Deep Section Field
The Waseca boys finished 12th overall in a large and competitive Section 1AA field led by Northfield (83), Winona (84), and Stewartville (90).
Wyatt Hager paced the Bluejays with a 53rd-place finish in 18:58.9, followed by Keenan Collins (57th, 19:13.1). Luke Feldkamp (74th, 20:24.6), Korbin Collins (79th, 21:18.2), Noah Love (80th, 21:58.9), and Ryan Yoder (81st, 22:03.0) rounded out the team’s effort.
Boys Team Results (Top 6):
Northfield – 83
Winona – 84
Stewartville – 90
Kasson-Mantorville – 93
Zumbrota-Mazeppa/Kenyon-Wanamingo – 139
Pine Island – 150
The Section 1AA meet marked the end of a successful season for the Bluejay Cross Country program, with strong performances from both teams and an individual state qualifier in Ellie Kopischke, who continues Waseca’s tradition of excellence in cross country.