Totino-Grace sends boys and girls runners to state

Cold. Rain. Muddy course.

Those were good reasons for Totino-Grace boys and girls cross country coach Chris Beach to forget the Class 2A, Section 5 races on Oct. 29, but he remembers the day with a smile.

Both of his teams won their respective races and qualified for the Class 2A state meets Saturday at St. Olaf College in Northfield. The Eagles are one of four Class 2A programs to send both the boys' and girls' teams to state. The girls last competed at state in 2001. The boys will make their debut this week.

"I couldn't be more proud of both teams," Beach said.

The girls stormed to the section title on the strength of three top-10 finishes. Ally McSherry (fourth), Emily Kindelspire (fifth) and Jennifer Dillon (seventh) keyed the Eagles' 14-point victory margin. Only one other team placed two runners in the top-10.

"They are all seniors who have come through the ranks together," Beach said. "We talk about being finishers, and they are what that is all about."

Meanwhile, the boys have started a new era. Totino-Grace has long fielded strong boys' soccer and football teams, but this fall, those programs must share the spotlight.

Adam Braun led the way with a second place overall finish, one spot ahead of teammate Steven Dado. A strong second-tier of finishers also helped the cause. Rob Wicks placed 22nd, Nick Wanner 27th and Mike Greenstein 28th.

"Since about the second week of June, the guys on the team have run together about five or six days a week," Beach said. "Before the section, they stood around in a circle talking about doing it for each other."

Beach said both teams came into the sections with momentum after winning their respective North Suburban Conference championships -- another first for the boys' program.

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574