SPORTS WRAP

“I can fall now. When I get to that line,” Owatonna cross-country runner Jack Sorenson said to himself.

That’s what was going through Sorenson’s mind after he spent all his body had to give and more to cross the finish line of the Section 1AAA cross country meet at Brooktree Golf Course last week.

“As I fell, I’m just thinking get to the top six. I know I will make it to state. Top six,” he said. He finished in fifth.

That was his second fall. I watched him lose his stride a little further up the final stretch. He was running third at the time. He picked himself up and continued unsteadily the final yards.

“I’m tired. Going through that last kilometer I felt my body just kind of lose a lot of its energy. I’m happy I made it to state. That may not be how I wanted to run. I’m happy I made it even with falling and getting back up,” said Sorenson.

“I’m just thinking, ‘Keep pushing. Get to that line. Try and hold this position. Hold this spot in the race. Even if it’s not how I wanted to finish I just have to keep going. Make it to that line,’” he said. The muddy course added to the challenge with the extra effort involved.

Sorenson has issues with his iron level due to celiac disease. He also fell in the Big Nine Conference meet this season and during his freshman year.

To prep for the state meet on Nov. 4 at the University of Minnesota, he said he has to eat, sleep, and prepare properly.

Goals met

Sorenson’s teammate Leyton Williams earned the final individual spot to qualify for state.

“I was just trying to stick behind Mayo’s No. 2 two runner. My coach told me that he’d probably be in. So, I tried to stay right behind him. I did and it worked out,” said Williams.

He held off a late charge from opposing runners.

“They weren’t like super close, but I heard them coming. I guess I kicked it soon enough so that they didn’t get the chance,” he said.

The muddy conditions didn’t faze him.

“I love running in the rain in practice. I love the puddles. It was just as much a problem for everyone else. I just like having the problem,” he said.

The senior reached his season goals.

“Make it to state, sub-five-minute mile and beat Brayden’s time. I did all three,” he said.

Make it eight

Owatonna football plays in its eighth consecutive section championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, facing Northfield at Federated Field. The Huskies won five straight titles starting in 2016. Rochester Mayo won the last two.

The Huskies beat the Raiders 26-21 in week four. This is the sixth time in nine years that these teams have met in the section playoffs.

The Huskies’ defense turned in an elite performance in their 33-7 win over John Marshall Saturday, holding the Rockets to negative yardage on offense in the second half and recording eight sacks.

“We bring some heat sometimes. When that comes home and we get there, usually the quarterback ends up on his back,” said Owatonna defensive lineman Jack Strom on the Owatonna Live Coaches Show.

“Our inside core really stepped up toward the beginning of the season. We started stuffing run games right away. It forced teams to pass, and our secondary is solid,” he said.

Receiver Caleb Hullopeter – who missed Saturday’s game – admired the Huskies’ passing attack.

“Our game plans for different coverages the other teams have. The routes we run against those different coverages, the coaches are a big part of it. Our wide receivers are able to take that information in and make it happen on the field,” he said.

Owatonna’s running attack has improved throughout the season.

“We’ve just been finding plays that we’re really good at and spinning those in our playbook,” said Owatonna offensive lineman Grant Lower.

Running back Brennan Sletten has become the go-to guy.

“I think the line stepped up and everything’s been clicking a lot more than it was the first couple weeks. They’re opening holes a lot wider,” he said.

Linebacker/fullback Mitch Seykora says a deep playoff run starts up front.

“It starts with them up front. If everyone just does their job, fit where they’re supposed to fit, and everybody stays healthy, we have a good chance,” he said.

“I think our defense needs to just keep up the good work. We’ve played a few really good games recently. Our offense has a lot of firepower. So, I’m not as worried about them,” added Huskies’ defensive back Ethan Armstrong.