Davidson makes history at State finals

Ken Johnston
& Sariina Kalli

Shantelle Davidson of Rainy River became the first athlete in Lake of the Woods School history to make it to the Minnesota State Cross Country Meet as an individual thanks to the international sports coop between LoW School and Riverview School. While she attends Riverview School the sports cooperative allows her to compete in school sports in Baudette and that lead her to State this year.

Although the Bears were unable to advance an entire team to State, Davidson’s 7th place finish at the Section 8A Meet in Bagley Oct. 26th earned her an individual birth at the State Meet. The meet was held at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota last Saturday, Nov. 3rd.

She placed 44th in a field of 139 runners in the Girls Class ‘A’ race on Saturday, with a time of 16 minutes, 10 seconds. The course was 2.5 miles long and Davidson said she really enjoyed herself. This was her second big Cross Country event. Last year she went to regionals in Thunder Bay, Ontario, but said that she did not do that well. She is very happy with this year’s finish and plans to keep running in the future. In the mean time she said she is beginning to play girls hockey with LoW School.

Jen Hess, from Paynesville, won the race with a time of 14:56. The highest Section 8A finish came from Deb Thompson of Park Rapids, who placed fifth in 15:15.

The race was unlike any other competition Davidson had been in all year. She commented after the race how fast the pace seemed compared to meets in this area, and that she was constantly running with a group of people. Both factors contributed to her successful first-time appearance at the meet.

“I am extremely proud of Shantelle and her accomplishments during her first year of competitive cross country (with LoW). She loves to run, she loves to compete, and she handles herself with an air of maturity that is wonderful to see in such a young athlete. She has a bright future in long distance running,” said coach, Sariina Kalli.

Sixteen teams competed for the Girls Class ‘A’ title in Northfield. New London/Spicer captured first place with 96 points. Paynesville was second with 107, and Staples/Motley third with 115 points. East Grand Forks, the Section 8A Champion, placed 7th with 159 points, while Section 8A Runner-Up Northland/Deer River placed 15th with 361.