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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

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Dean, Knutson pushing Warriors

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: Cross country

By MIKE BIALKA

Sports Editor

In its bid to return to state the Brainerd Warrior boys' team can build around one individual state entrant.

Senior Jimmy Dean placed ninth in the 2008 Section 8-2A meet and 98th in the Class 2A state meet. And, it helps that he's being pushed by fellow senior Chris Knutson.

"Jimmy's been with us since ninth grade," Warriors coach Dave Herath said. "Like a lot of our boys your senior year is when you're looking to do some good things. Last spring (in track) Jimmy got a taste of what it's like to be injured, some hip stuff, some knee stuff, and it was kind of a rough spring for him.

"This summer he's been slowly building back up. It's been nice for him to be able to run without being hurt. He's looked very good the first two weeks.

Returning Brainerd boys from last year's Section 8-2A meet are, front row: Riley Nelsen (left), Aaron Thompson, Jeff Emery and Brad Wolhart (back, left), Chris Knutson and Jimmy Dean. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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Boys' cross country

Head coach: Dave Herath, 17th season.

2008 boys' finish: Fourth in CLC, fifth in section

Returning state meet participant: Jimmy Dean

Captains: Corbin Campbell, Jimmy Dean, Jeff Emery, James McLean, Alek Rudstrom, Aaron Thompson, Chris Knutson, Brad Wolhart

Assistant coaches: Carl Schirmer, Owen Trout.

Schedule

Sept. 3, Alexandria, St. Cloud Tech, Pillager at Brainerd Invite, Northland Arboretum, 10 a.m.

Sept. 11, at Bemidji Invite 1 p.m.

Sept. 17, at Little Falls Invite 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 21, at Pierz Invite 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 26, at University of Minnesota Invite

Oct. 1, at Albany Invite 4:10 p.m.

Oct. 8, Crosby-Ironton Invite at Ruttgers 3 p.m.

Oct. 13, at St. Cloud Invite 3 p.m.

Oct. 20, Conference championship at Willmar 3:25 p.m.

Oct. 29, Section 8-2A at Little Falls 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 7, State meet at St. Olaf College, Northfield

"He's getting pushed by Chris Knutson. It's good to have someone pushing you. Jimmy's been to state several times. He would like to get back there with his teammates."

Dean and Knutson are two of six runners who return from last year's section meet, giving the Warriors a bright outlook.

"Chris is pretty much stride-for-stride with Jimmy in most practices," Herath said. "Cross country is kind of a weird sport, kind of like swimming, where how you do in the fall can be determined in great part by what you do in the summer.

"Chris has worked hard, as a lot of our boys have, to get in shape. He had a disappointing last fall. He came in like gangbusters and had some injury issues. He was still competing with us at the end but not at the level he wanted. We're expecting big things from him his senior year.

"Obviously, we're a senior-dominated team. Chris will be a vital part of it. If we get back to state he has to come through."

Others back from the section team include Riley Nelsen, Jeff Emery, Brad Wolhart and Aaron Thompson.

"Riley has over 200 miles that he put on this summer, which is excellent for him," Herath said. "He's starting to mature physically. He's looked good early on. Jeff Emery had a great section meet. Hopefully, that will carry over.

"A lot of them grew up. Last fall was the first time it counted for most of them because we had such a big group ahead of them who were taking varsity spots. Last spring in track we saw a lot of maturity from them."

Last fall was the first in four years that Brainerd missed qualifying for state.

"The boys took a year off from going to state as a team, and they would very much like to get back there," Herath said. "We're in a very tough section. The first rankings I saw Moorhead is ranked third, Alexandria sixth. We'll see Alexandria Thursday. We're OK with (the polls). If we can compete with that caliber of a team, if we get to state, we will do well.

'Every year our goal is to get back there. We're looking good in practice, but until you see what other teams have it's hard to tell where you stand."

Warriors roster

Seniors: Corbin Campbell, Jimmy Dean, Jeff Emery, James McLean, Alek Rudstrom, Aaron Thompson, Chris Knutson, Brad Wolhart, Marvin Schneider

Juniors: Alec Haug, Jack Hegarty, Cuyler VanDerwerker

Sophomores: Damon Grilz, Riley Nelsen, Andrew Solseth

Freshmen: Peyton Argir, Zean Baker, Tim Nelson, Jordan Schmaltz, Devin Vann, Justin Worling

MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.

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