As fall comes to a close, so does the 2023 cross-country season. Runners reflect on a memorable season where they worked hard each day running countless miles to better themselves and their time. 

Head Coach Brett Zimmerman stated, “Each individual sets their own goals, whether that means to continue to improve their personal best times as the season progresses or to place in the top 20 at a specific meet.” Cross-country runners accumulate points for their team by placing in meets. Zimmerman explains a perfect team score is 15, and that is accomplished by the top 5 runners from one team placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Whatever a runner places is the amount of points they receive. For example, if someone places 16th, they receive 16 points. 

One standout runner, Gavin Johnson, earned HVL All-Conference once again this year, and Zimmerman commented that his placing at the Section 1A meet was his best all year, coming in at 26th. Regarding making a trip to State, runners need to place in the top 6 in the Section meet.  Coach Zimmerman explains that in the past seasons, Cannon Falls Cross-Country has had many successful runners who have also earned All-Conference. Only one runner in CF history has won the State Champion title and that was accomplished by Emi Trost in 2013.  

There are no season records but in races, the runners’ goals are to place as high as possible for themselves and their team. Each varsity team (Girls and Boys) consists of 7 runners. This season, the girls varsity only had 3 runners, so they were considered incomplete. As for the boy’s team, Coach Zimmerman comments, they were able to have a complete team so their goals consisted of placing at certain meets or beating specific teams.

Next year’s cross-country team is looking promising with returning runners who will be seniors, such as All-Conference runner Gavin Johnson and many other individuals who demonstrate leadership and will be role models for the younger athletes.