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The New London-Spicer Wildcats, the defending state champions, beat the Bulldogs 54-57 for the first time this season in five tries. The Bulldogs had beaten the Wildcats four straight times to start the season. The Bulldogs have four firsts and two seconds in six meets so far this season.

Eighth grader Brooke Schmitz has been rated individually in the state this fall. She finished 12th at the Koronis Invite.

Taking third was Sauk Centre with 65, and St. Cloud Cathedral, a key sectional foe for the Bulldogs, was fourth at 77. "This was a tough meet with four teams rated in the top eight in the state," said coach Darrel Carstens. "We ran okay but we as a team can do better."

Defending state champion Jen Hess, a senior, took first on her last race on the Bulldogs' home course.

After Hess, Paynesville had a pack of girls running together. Kim Hess placed tenth, Kacy Nehowig was six seconds behind her in 11th, and Brooke Schmitz placed 12th, three seconds behind Nehowig.

Mandy Mayer completed the Bulldogs' team score by placing 23rd. Nicole Flint was Paynesville's final runner, placing 48th.

Carstens said the team is made up of great girls that deserve their rating near the top of the state rankings. (Paynesville's girls' team has been ranked first and second in recent weeks.)

"Our training from hills and quantity will change in the next weeks and our legs will be fresher," promised Carstens.

The Bulldogs ran at Becker on Monday, Oct. 1. The West Central Conference North Championship will be held next Tuesday, Oct. 9, starting at 4 p.m. in Albany.

Team Scores
1. New London-Spicer 54
2. Paynesville 57
3. Sauk Centre 65
4. Cathedral 77
5. Minnewaska 152
6. Eden Valley-Watkins 177
7. Annandale 192
8. Litchfield 215
9. LPGE 225
Sauk Rapids Inc.
Rocori Inc.
Dassel-Cokato Inc.
ACGC Inc.

Individual Results
1. Jen Hess 14:53
10. Kim Hess 16:14
11. Kacy Nehowig 16:20
12. Brooke Schmitz 16:23
23. Mandy Mayer 17:18
48. Nicole Flint 18:46