MOUNTAIN LAKE – It wasn’t the championship trophy, but it was a victory of sorts for the United South Central boys’ cross country team.

Friday, August 31, 2001

MOUNTAIN LAKE – It wasn’t the championship trophy, but it was a victory of sorts for the United South Central boys’ cross country team.

The Rebels were the top Class A finisher in Wednesday’s Wolverine Invitational at Mountain Lake, placing fourth among 18 schools.

&uot;The boys performed well,&uot; said coach Kent Viesselman.

Class AA power Mounds View won with 26 points, followed in the top five by Fairmont with 81, Mankato East 107, USC 118 and Jackson County Central 154.

Justin Youngblom led the Rebels, placing sixth in 17:06 on the 3-mile course. Eric Langsev was right behind, clocking 17:10 for seventh. Following for the Rebels were Trevor Rollenhagen, 32nd, 18:59; Casey Christenson, 34th, 19:04; Jake Stenzel, 38th, 19:06; and Chris Vondracek, 40th, 19:11.

There were approximately 100 varsity runners.

&uot;Justin and Eric each ran more than a minute faster than they did on the same course last year,&uot; said Viesselman. &uot;Their summer mileage will pay big dividends for them this fall. After those two, we are very inexperienced at the varsity level. Trevor and Jake were in the their first varsity race, and Casey and Chris really don’t have that much experience at the varsity level either. We’ll improve as the season progresses.&uot;

The USC girls had what Viesselman called an excellent opener, finishing a close third behind defending section champion Blue Earth Area and Jackson County Central, currently ranked No. 2 in the state in Class A. Blue Earth had 72 points, JCC 78 and USC 79. Fairmont was fourth with 107. Sixteen teams competed.

The Rebels had two top-10 finishers in Lindsey Rauenhorst, seventh, 16:33; and Sara Bias, ninth, 16:49. Jamie Klein was 15th, 17:09, followed by Michelle Sonnek, 22nd, 17:23; Amelia Treptow, 26th, 17:37; and Kristen Langsev, 53rd, 19:06.

&uot;Our girls are a much improved team,&uot; said Viesselman. &uot;They came on strong right at the end of the season last year to finish third in the section meet. A big difference has been that they put in some miles over the summer. I’m very pleased with where they are right now. JCC, (sixth-place) Murray County Central and Fairmont are all rated teams, and Blue Earth Area will be.&uot;