Sophia Hertz
They started with a brand-new cross-country program and a whole lot to learn.
They finished with five state qualifiers.
What began as an effort to establish the Grant County/Flasher Storm cross country team became a season to remember, as every member of the inaugural squad earned a trip to the North Dakota Class B State Cross Country Meet.
And with Savara Hoff leading the way with a 29th-place finish in the girls' race, the Storm proved that even a small, inexperienced team can accomplish some pretty big things.
When the season began, the team’s goal was simply to get the program established. The team was not organized until early August, forcing many of the runners to enter the season without summer training and experience of their competitors.
“Our athletes came into the season a bit underprepared,” coach, Gabriel Plummer, said. “Our goal was just trying to get the team started, and we accomplished far more than that.”
Despite the late start, the runners committed to training six days a week, averaging 25 to 30 miles and incorporating intense workouts and strength training. Their efforts paid off with all five athletes qualifying for state.
On Friday, October 23, the runners competed at Parkhurst Campground/Pipestem Reservoir near Jamestown. Both boys and girls competed in a 5,000-meter race, commonly referred to as a 5K which is approximately 3.1 miles. Unlike track where athletes run around an oval, cross country takes place outdoors on a marked course. Runners may encounter grass, dirt paths, hills, turns and uneven terrain.
At the state meet, Jayce Zimmerman finished 175th in the boys’ race, with a time of 20:51, followed by Mikkel Ostenson in 266th with a time of 22:13 and Malachi Meyer in 306th at 23:03.
In the girls’ race, Savara Hoff led with a 29th place in 21:16, while Esther Sprenger finished 255th with a time of 27:27.
Throughout the season, the runners recorded several notable performances.
However, Plummer said the team’s greatest accomplishment went beyond individual times and placements.
“Many of the athletes they were competing against have been with the sport for four or more years, while none of them had run a cross-country meet before August 28,” Plummer said. “It takes a certain type of resilience to stick with it after a few meets competing against very experienced athletes when you yourself lack the experience.”
That resilience was especially evident in Meyer’s journey. Joining the team halfway through the season, he initially doubted his ability to continue after his first practice and race. Instead of giving up, he stuck with the sport and ultimately earned his place at state.
His teammates also played a role in helping him reach that goal. At the Dickinson Trinity Invitational, Ostenson, despite not feeling his best, paced Meyer toward his qualifying mark, sacrificing his own opportunity for a personal best to help his teammate succeed.
“I am so proud of these athletes sticking with it, even when at times things became very difficult for them,” Plummer said.
For most of the runners, the state meet was their first experience competing at a championship-level event. Plummer prepared them with visualization exercises to help combat uneasiness.
“We did a lot of visualization, which is the best solution to the nerves, then it just came time to get out there and execute on the day,” Plummer said.
He emphasized that the experience itself was one of the most valuable takeaways from the meet, giving the runners a better understanding of the competition and tactics involved in championship racing.
Looking ahead, four of the five state qualifiers are expected to return next season. Plummer hopes they will continue building their fitness through track season and summer training, while the team’s success encourages more athletes to join the program.
For the Storm, this season was about more than qualifying for state. It was about building a team, learning to persevere through challenges and discovering what could be accomplished by continuing to show up for one another.
Plummer hopes the season will be remembered as the beginning of something that continues to grow.
“I think the best way a team can be remembered is as the start of something, because you only get to start things one time,” Plummer said.
For the Grant County/Flasher Storm, the finish line in Jamestown marked the end of one season and the starting point for whatever comes next.
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