current . mnsun . com Edina Fall Sports Preview • Thursday , August 22 , 2024 Page 9
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letes showing dedication . It ’ s even better when there are coaches who can bring out the best in them , Haerter noted .
Hornet head coach Jaime Kirkpatrick turns out perennial state contenders an has a state team title on his resume .
“ Jaime is a fantastic coach ,” Haerter said . “ I put my full trust in him . He is definitely one of the best out there . Our assistant coach , Tom Gatyas keeps the atmosphere hopeful and positive .”
Two of the other Edina assistants are former varsity runners Thomas Schauerman and Noah Chestler . Completing the staff are Dan Baron and Kevin Montresor .
In addition to taking the trip to Colorado with his teammates , Haerter made a training trip to Truckee , Calif . for a camp .
“ I did a lot of running , hiking and roller skiing out there ,” he said . “ Truckee is a very beautiful place , not far from Lake Tahoe . I got in 35 hours of training .”
Like most of the state ’ s leading cross country runners , Haerter can ’ t wait to get out on the trail .
On a run Aug . 9 , he ran “ an easy 8 miles ” in 60 minutes .
“ My favorite place to run around here is Hyland [ in Bloomington ],” Haerter said . “ I like running on softer surfaces .” Cross training has helped Haerter become an All-Lake Conference and All- State athlete in all three endurance sports - cross country , Nordic skiing and distance running for the track team .
“ I am lucky that I can do a lot of cross training - mountain biking , lifting , running , skiing , roller skiing ,” he said .
Haerter was asked about personal goals for the season and said , “ I am thinking about running in college , so I want to try to get some fast times .”
The Edina standout is not sure whether he will run or ski in college . At some universities , there might be a chance to do both .
“ I am still open ,” he said . “ I like the atmosphere of team sports .”
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Brinkman .
Some of the other runners expected to contribute this season include Savannah Camp , Sonya Deshpande , Lily Drayna , Ava Haerter , Anna Irwin , JoAnn Moser and Evie Ungerman .
Gabrielson is one of the youngest members of the Minnesota Cross Country Coaches ’ Association Hall of Fame . His history as a competitor is equally impressive with his coaching history .
In June of 2011 , the Edina coach had his fastest time in the marathon ( 2:13.28 ). In 2007 , he ran 5000 meters in 13:30.86 . He also has fast times at two other distances with 1:04.42 in the half-marathon and 29:26 for the 20K distance .
In addition to coaching the girls cross country team in Edina , Gabrielson is head coach of the Edina boys track and field squad . Under Gabrielson ’ s direction , the Hornet boys qualified for the State Class AAA True Team Meet last spring .
The girls cross country season got underway Aug . 19 when the Edina varsity and JV runners took part in the annual Ed Hendrickson Varsity- Alumni Run at Edina High .
Looking at the Lake Conference this season , Edina faces tough competition from defending State Class AAA champion Wayzata along with Hopkins and Minnetonka . Each of those schools has a top-10 runner in the state - Jazleen Malherek-Osorio at Wayzata , Sydney Drevlow at Hopkins and Evie Malec at Minnetonka .
All but one of Wayzata ’ s top nine runners return this year , so look for the Trojans to be the Lake Conference title favorites .
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