Kasson-Mantorville’s David Obst Shines at State Cross Country Championships

Kasson-Mantorville High School senior David Obst concluded his impressive high school cross country career with a remarkable fourth-place finish at the MSHSL Class 2A Boys Cross Country State Championships on November 4, 2023. Competing at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in St. Paul, Minnesota, Obst clocked a personal-best time of 15 minutes, 39.6 seconds, marking his fifth appearance at the state meet.

Over the course of his high school career, Obst has consistently demonstrated his prowess, achieving top-eight finishes in each of the last three state championships. This year, he took the lead after the first mile, engaging in a battle for the front position around the second mile. Ultimately, he was outpaced by junior Charlie Loth from St. Paul Como Park and senior Gabe Hallen from Orono, who finished first and second, respectively. Loth claimed the state title with a personal-best time of 15:31.1.

In addition to Obst’s achievement, Winona junior Kedrick Boucek finished fifth with a time of 15:42.2, contributing to his team’s overall seventh-place finish with 216 points. St. Paul Como, led by Loth, secured its first state title with a total of 75 points.

Strong Performances from Other Competitors

The state meet showcased several other notable performances from southeastern Minnesota athletes. Junior Caleb Kevan from Zumbrota-Mazeppa/Kenyon-Wanamingo finished in 35th place with a time of 16:24.6, while Stewartville sophomore Nolan Schatz achieved a personal record of 16:27.9 to place 42nd. Other competitors included sophomore Talon Schutz from Pine Island, who finished 77th (16:57.1), and senior Owen Runquist from Red Wing, who took 86th (17:08.6).

On the girls’ side, Red Wing senior Nora Hanson closed out her high school career with a 38th place finish, recording a time of 19:32.5. This marked her fifth and final state appearance, during which she earned All-State honors as a two-time recipient. The top 25 individuals in the state meet receive this prestigious recognition.

Freshman Isabelle Katwa from Winona emerged as the top finisher for southeastern Minnesota in the girls’ Class 2A race, finishing 35th with a time of 19:29.8. Her performance helped lead her team to a sixth-place finish overall, accumulating 193 points. Minneapolis Southwest won its first state title in this category with an impressive score of 38 points, marking a significant achievement for the program, which had not reached the state meet since 2003.

Section 1 champion Northfield secured third place with a total of 110 points, while Makayah Petricka led the Raiders with an eighth-place finish. Other notable finishes included junior Sydney Lewis from Austin in 42nd place (19:35.1), sophomore Brynn Lawrence from Red Wing in 54th (19:49.3), and freshman Dayna Baune from Byron in 80th (20:18.4).

The state championships highlighted the dedication and talent of these young athletes, showcasing their hard work and determination throughout the season. The event not only celebrated individual accomplishments but also fostered a sense of community among competitors and supporters alike.