Kasson-Mantorville’s David Obst Claims All-State Honors in Cross Country

Kasson-Mantorville High School senior David Obst concluded his high school cross country career on a high note, securing a fourth-place finish at the MSHSL Class 2A Boys Cross Country State Championships held on November 4, 2023. Running at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in St. Paul, Obst achieved a season-best time of 15 minutes, 39.6 seconds, marking a personal milestone in his fifth appearance at the state meet.

Obst’s impressive performance continued a trend of excellence, as this marked his third consecutive top-eight finish at the state championship. He took the lead early, being the frontrunner after the first mile. However, the competition intensified as he and four other runners vied for the lead around the second mile. Ultimately, it was Charlie Loth, a junior from St. Paul Como Park, and Gabe Hallen, a senior from Orono, who began to pull away. Loth clinched the state title with a personal-best time of 15:31.1, while Hallen finished in second place.

The overall team standings saw St. Paul Como Park, ranked fifth, claim its first state championship with a total of 75 points. The Winona Winhawks, led by junior Kedrick Boucek, placed seventh as a team with 216 points, with Boucek finishing fifth individually in 15:42.2. Other notable finishes included Caleb Kevan from Zumbrota-Mazeppa/Kenyon-Wanamingo, who placed 35th in 16:24.6, and Nolan Schatz from Stewartville, who achieved a personal record of 16:27.9 with a 42nd place finish.

Female Athletes Shine at State Championships

On the girls’ side, Nora Hanson, a senior from Red Wing, also concluded her high school career at the state championships, finishing 38th with a time of 19:32.5. Throughout her prep years, she was a two-time All-State recipient, with the top 25 individuals earning this prestigious honor.

The standout among Southeast Minnesota competitors was Isabelle Katwa, a freshman from Winona, who placed 35th with a time of 19:29.8. Her performance contributed to Winona finishing in sixth place as a team with 193 points. The state title in the girls’ division went to Minneapolis Southwest, which won its first championship with just 38 points in its initial state meet since 2003. Section 1 champion Northfield finished in third with 110 points, while Makayah Petricka led the Raiders with an impressive eighth-place finish.

In addition to the individual accomplishments, Keira Friedrich, a senior from St. Peter, claimed the individual title with a remarkable time of 18:03, finishing nearly 20 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.

As the state meet concluded, the achievements of these student-athletes highlighted their dedication and skill, marking a memorable end to the cross country season in Minnesota.