Elk River Star News Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 35
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Elk River, MN 55330.
Elk River cross-country excited for the season
ERIK NELSON Sports Reporter
The Elks cross-country program has two 2025 state qualifiers, Erin Auel( girls) and Jackson Carlson( boys), returning to the team for the 2026 season. Elk River hopes more athletes can qualify for the state meet this season.
Head coach: Mike Niziolek
Key returning runners: Sophomore and 2025 state qualifier Erin Auel leads a girls team that also includes seventh grader Libby Ethen, freshman Brooke Elveru, sophomore Ava Schrag, juniors Erin Bescheinen, Savanah Emmans and Siri Westberg, and senior Kira Warnke.
The boys team is led by 2025 state qualifier Jackson Carlson, who is the only senior on the team. The boys team also features seventh graders E. J. Guldseth and George Pike; eighth graders Kantaro Ridder and Nicholas St. Martin; freshmen Brendan Abernathy, Mikko Adams, Connor Carlson, Oliver Christianson, Levi Ethen, Isaac Guldseth, Elijah Hegge, Aiden Tribon and Ahsur Walton; sophomore Noah Seward and Maxwell Sofio; and juniors Elijah Farley and Vincent Patullo.
Important meets: Roy Griak Invitational,
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FILE PHOTO
Elk River’ s Brendan Abernathy( center) was an All-Conference honorable mention at the NWSC cross-country championships on Oct. 8, 2025, at Elk River Golf Club.
Friday, Sept. 19, at Fort Snelling Golf Course; Thunder Invite, Thursday, Oct. 1; Thundering Royal Elk Invite, Thursday, Oct. 8; NWSC championships,
Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Elk River Golf Club.
Coach Niziolek’ s expectations for 2026:“ The boys team will be much improved. This team is
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FILE PHOTO
Elk River’ s Erin Auel was an All-Conference NWSC selection after finishing in the top 28 at the NWSC cross-country championships on Oct. 8, 2025, at Elk River Golf Club.
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