Boys X-County: Hyytinen King of the Conference

Missota Conference champion Justin Hyytinen (photo by Jim Lindquist)

As a sophomore last fall Justin Hyytinen finished a distant second at the Missota Conference Championships, some 27 seconds behind winner Joey Deurr of Chaska.

Tuesday afternoon at Cedar Lake Farm in New Prague Hyytinen hit the finish line three seconds ahead of Chaska's Spencer Urick to claim the 2013 conference individual title. Hyytinen's finishing time over the challenging, 5000-meter, course was 16:24.

The conference championship is the first for a Farmington runner since Ben Kampf led the field at the 2004 league finals and just the third Tiger ever to wear the Missota crown. Roger Thelen was conference champion in 1982.

"Justin went out strong and relaxed and made his move about a mile and half in," coach Lisa Lippold said. "That's what secured the win. Having a year of experience under him has really helped Justin excel this season."

As a team the Tigers placed fifth overall in a talented field. Shakopee edged Red Wing 56-64 to win the championship hardware. Chanhassen slipped by district rival Chanhassen 73-76 to finish third. Farmington totaled 125, followed by Northfield 168, New Prague 178 and Holy Angels 233.

Alex Hart all-Missota Conference

Hyytinen wasn't the only Tiger to have a big day. Sophomore Alex Hart clocked 17:11 to place 12th overall and earn all-conference honors.

"Alex knew where he wanted to place and he ran a strong race," Lippold said.

Sean Dougherty was the third Tiger in the chute, finishing 27th in 17:41. Hunter Sevenich ranked 39th in 18:20; Derek Cole 46th in 18:35; Devon Webb 50th in 18:57 and Matt Anderson 51st in 19:11.

"Overall the boys ran a good race," Lippold said. "Devon (Webb) has been having troubles with a foot injury and that showed today."

Farmington took sixth in the junior varsity race with Ryan Newton the first Tiger in the finishing chute in 21st place. Jackson Schneider ranked 26th; Richard Halverson 31st; Peyton Woller 33rd; Trent Kortenbusch 40th; Josh Grimm 41st and Zach Teiken 47th.

Out of 20 Tigers running the junior varsity race, 11 achieved personal-best times.

Next up for the Tigers is the Section 1AA meet scheduled for next Thursday at Brooktree Golf Course in Owatonna. Hyytinen finished fourth there last year to earn a spot in the state meet where he ranked 29th overall..