Willmar Cardinals Cross-Country Team Heads to State Championship

The Willmar Cardinals boys cross-country team is set to compete at the state championship for the first time since 2021, following a strong showing at the Section 8AA championship. The team, led by junior Zach Engstrom, secured second place with a score of 82 points, narrowly edging out Rocori by eight points. This marks a significant turnaround for the Cardinals, who have experienced disappointment in previous seasons, finishing third in the section championship.

Engstrom, who has faced the disappointment of missing out on state in the past, expressed excitement about the opportunity. “It’ll be a fun experience,” he said, reflecting on the journey that brought the team back to state. The Class AA boys race will take place at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday at the Les Bolstad Golf Course, followed by the girls race at 1 p.m.

The team’s head coach, Kim Shumlansky, noted that the turning point for the boys came during the Glacial Lakes Invitational on September 27, where they first realized their potential for qualifying for state. “After the Willmar home meet, we’re like, ‘OK, we are definitely in the running,’” he said. The focus for the coaching staff since then has been on ensuring that the athletes run smart, controlled races, with experience from high-profile meets contributing to their preparation.

One of the key strategies discussed among the team is pacing. Junior Levi Twedt emphasized the importance of not starting too fast, saying, “I’ve learned from personal experience just to pace properly because I can work my way up and keep passing people.” The Cardinals have a young roster, with no seniors on the team. Engstrom is joined by fellow juniors Twedt and Ruben Palacios, one sophomore, Ethan Eckhoff, and freshman John Spencer, who has quickly adapted to the competitive environment.

Spencer expressed admiration for his junior teammates, stating, “There’s a lot of juniors I look up to like seniors. They’ve been helping me with practices and with pacing and stuff.” The camaraderie among the team has been nurtured through a cross-country program that begins in middle school, helping to bridge the age gap between athletes.

The upcoming state meet promises to be competitive. Willmar will face off against top-ranked teams, including Perham, Orono, and Becker, which all rank among the top ten teams in Class AA. Engstrom noted the challenging nature of the Les Bolstad course, advising that runners need to get out aggressively to avoid congestion at the start. “It’s a hilly course, so you got to run smart,” he added.

As the boys prepare for their race, the Willmar girls team is also gearing up for their state championship, highlighted by junior Gabby Martinez. Martinez recorded a personal-best time of 19:23.8 at the Brave Like Gabe Invitational, ranking her among the top runners in Class AA this season. She is eager to replicate or surpass that performance at the state meet.

“This is my first time at the state cross-country meet,” Martinez said. “I’m really hoping that at state, I’ll have a breakthrough here.” Her focus has remained on positivity and mental strength, especially during the challenging training sessions leading up to the postseason.

The Class AA state meet, which takes place at Les Bolstad Golf Course, will showcase the talents of these young athletes as they aim for personal bests and team success. The boys race starts at 12:15 p.m. and the girls race follows at 1 p.m., with awards scheduled for 1:30 p.m..

As the Willmar Cardinals look to make their mark on the state stage, the excitement and determination among the athletes and coaches are palpable. The efforts of the team reflect not only their competitive spirit but also their commitment to supporting one another as they strive for excellence.