Wobbrock and Hernandez excel at state
Blooming Prairie junior runner Gloria Hernandez, center, smiles for a photo with the Blooming Prairie cross-country coaching staff after placing 29th at the Class A state meet last week. Hernandez’s placement set a new school record, breaking her previous mark of 58th from last season. Photo from Facebook
NRHEG’s Julieann Wobbrock and Blooming Prairie’s Gloria Hernandez were Steele County’s lone Gopher Conference representatives at the Class A state meet last week and both put in performances to remember.
Wobbrock’s strong season reached a pinnacle with the freshman crossing the finish line in 18th place in 19:21.3 to secure an all-state finish for the Panthers.
Her impressive finish also managed to surpass NRHEG’s most recent state runner, Crystal “Shoe” Schutrop, who placed 22nd back in 1994.
Hernandez was on a similar mission for Blooming Prairie, and the junior did not disappoint, finishing close behind Wobbrock in 29th place in 19:39.1.
While her performance landed just four places shy of all-state honors, the junior’s placement broke her own previous school record of 58th from last season.
Both athletes will be back in 2026 and surely hungry to improve upon their marks.