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

Kasson-Mantorville High School senior David Obst concluded his high school cross country career with an impressive fourth-place finish at the MSHSL Class 2A Boys Cross Country State Championships held on March 9, 2024, at Les Bolstad Golf Course in St. Paul. This marks Obst’s fifth appearance at the state meet, where he achieved a season-best time of 15 minutes, 39.6 seconds.

Obst’s performance this year secured him a spot among the top finishers for the third consecutive time at the state level. Starting strong, he led the pack after the first mile and remained competitive through the second mile. It was during this stretch that Charlie Loth, a junior from St. Paul Como Park, and Gabe Hallen, a senior from Orono, began to pull ahead. Loth ultimately claimed the state title with a personal best of 15:31.1, while Hallen finished second.

In addition to Obst, other notable competitors included Kedrick Boucek, a junior from Winona, who placed fifth with a time of 15:42.2, contributing to his team’s seventh-place finish overall with a total of 216 points. The championship was won by St. Paul Como Park, who achieved their first state title with 75 points.

Local Highlights from the Girls’ Championship

On the girls’ side, Nora Hanson, a senior from Red Wing, also concluded her high school career at the state championships. In her fifth and final appearance, she finished 38th with a time of 19:32.5. Hanson leaves behind a legacy as a two-time All-State recipient, as only the top 25 individuals earn this honor.

The standout for southeast Minnesota in the girls’ Class 2A race was Isabelle Katwa, a freshman from Winona, who finished 35th in 19:29.8. Her performance helped propel Winona to a sixth-place finish with a team total of 193 points. The girls’ championship was won by Minneapolis Southwest, who achieved their first state title with a remarkable score of just 38 points in their first state appearance since 2003.

Additional notable finishes included Sydney Lewis, a junior from Austin, in 42nd place at 19:35.1, and Brynn Lawrence, a sophomore from Red Wing, who secured 54th place with a time of 19:49.3. Rounding out the local qualifiers, Dayna Baune, a freshman from Byron, finished in 80th place.

In a standout individual performance, Keira Friedrich, a senior from St. Peter, claimed the girls’ individual title with an impressive time of 18:03, finishing nearly 20 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.

The results from the championships reflect a competitive spirit and remarkable achievements from the athletes representing southeast Minnesota, showcasing their dedication and talent at the state level. As the season wraps up, both Obst and Hanson leave behind a legacy of excellence in their respective programs.