KMS/Benson Schools Compete at Melrose Area Invitational Cross Country Meet

On September 19, 2024, KMS/Benson Schools showcased strong performances at the Melrose Area Invitational Cross Country Meet held at Meadowlark Golf Course in Melrose, MN. Competing against a robust field of fifteen teams, the team secured noticeable results, especially in the Men's Varsity and Junior High categories. KMS/Benson Schools secured the 8th position in the Men's Varsity race, scoring a total of 213 points. Standout runners included Alex Zurn, who clinched the 5th spot in the Men’s 5,000 Meters Varsity race with a commendable time of 17:37.59, and Gavin Olson, who finished 26th in the same event. Zurn and Olson, along with Oswaldo Moreno and Zachary VanHeuveln, achieved new personal bests on the course. The Junior High categories also saw impressive performances, with Libby Henry and Audrey Loen taking the 3rd and 7th places respectively in the junior high girls' race, and Levi Pappadakis claiming 6th in the junior high boys'. These young athletes contributed to the team's depth and showcased the promising future of KMS/Benson Schools' cross-country program. Coach VanHeuveln expressed her enthusiasm for the team's performance, stating, "It was incredibly fun to watch the kids go out and compete with some tough competition on a nice flat course and come away with some huge personal best races for many! There was some concern that it was a short course, however enough kids were wearing GPS watches and tracked their distance that we were able to verify it was not a short course - it was right on 5k!" Looking ahead, the KMS/Benson runners are preparing to compete at the Paynesville Invitational on September 24, 2024 at Koronis Hill Golf Course. Their performances at the Melrose Area Invitational have set a confident tone as they continue their season.