Boys X-Country: Hyytinen back to State

Junior Justin Hyytinen is returning to the state meet (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Justin Hyytinen continued his stellar junior season with a runner-up finish at the Section 1AA Championships held Thursday afternoon at Brooktree Golf Course in Owatonna.

Hyytinen, who ranked fourth at the section finals last fall, clocked 15:53 around the winding 5000-meter course advanced to the Class AA state meet for the second straight season. Hyytinen ranked 29th overall at the 2012 state finals.

"Justin knew what he needed to do going in to the race and he pulled through," coach Lisa Lippold said. "He ran a smart race and we are already discussing strategy for the state meet."

Red Wing squeaked by Lakeville North 90-91 to claim section team honors as both teams earned berths in the state team competition. Rochester Century placed third at 104, followed by Owatonna 135, Winona 158, Albert Lea 173, Farmington 184, Rochester Mayo 205, Lakeville South 205, Faribault 214, Austin 281, Northfield 313, Hastings 346, Rochester John Marshall 376, Zumbrota-Mazeppa/Kenyon-Wanamingo 393 and Kasson-Mantorville 437.

Farmington's seventh place finish in the team standings was one slot below where it finished last season but according to Lippold doesn't adequately reflect how her team performed.

"This meet was the best we have ever run," Lippold said. "It was awesome to see them all peak at the right time and leave nothing on the course. We had great running weather and have had some good last practices. It all came together Thursday."

Alex Hart was the second Tiger in the chute, lowering his season-best time to 16:54 in 25th place, four seconds and two places in front of teammate Sean Dougherty.

Senior Sean Dougherty was the third Tiger finisher

"Alex keeps improving and getting experience that will only help him in the future," Lippold said, "and Sean had a fantastic race. It was good to see him finish his senior season like that."

Devon Webb ranked 62nd in 17:42; Hunter Sevenich 67th in 17:50; Matt Anderson 86th in 18:19 and Derek Cole 97th in 19:01. All in all, 110 runners competed in the varsity race.

Farmington finished 10th among 15 teams in the junior varsity race with Ryan Newton leading the way for the Tigers with a 46th place finish in a field of 388. Josh Grimm ranked 52nd, Peyton Woller 60th, Richard Halverson 62nd, Trent Kortenbusch 63rd, Jackson Schneider 64th and Christopher Erickson 67th.

"The meet as a whole was a great way to end the season," Lippold said. "This is such a neat, smart and talented group of boys. It has been so rewarding to watch them succeed this year."

The section meet marked the end of the season for all of the Tigers except Hyytinen who will travel to St. Olaf College in Northfield next Saturday, Nov. 2, for the state meet.