I was really proud of how they all competed today.”

Park head co-coach Bead Narveson

It was a bit of a mixed day for Park cross country runners in the Section 3AAA Championships at Valleywood Golf Course in Apple Valley Thursday.

Junior Henry Joa ran his way back to state again, finishing 13th in a time of 16:03.50.

But Park senior Eli Firchau finished 19th in 16:33.0 and missed the trip to the state meet.

On the girls' side, junior Jana Hafiz finished a strong 16th in the girls 5,000 meters in a time of 20:35.70, just off her personal best of 20:30.

“I went out like middle of the top pack, like halfway through I couldn’t breathe through my nose at all,” said Joa. “And I was almost hyperventilating up these hills; it was really rough. But I remember Eli’s speech, because he was talking about leaving everything out there. And also my coach said if you beat this guy you make it to state, so I just tried my best. I beat the guy so I guess, yea.”

While it was satisfying for Joa to earn another trip to state, it was a hard finish for Park senior Firchau who has been battling an illness the last few weeks of the season.

“It was a tough one,” said Firchau. “The course was hard; it’s a lot of hills and good competition but the weather was really nice. I felt pretty solid for most of the race. It was a solid race I would say. It wasn’t the race I wanted but it’s been a tough season, and I came out here and did my absolute best so I can’t really complain. It’s been a tough season mentally, but I keep pushing through and it will get better.”

On the girls side, junior Jana Hafiz finished a strong 16th in the girls 5,000 meters in a time of 20:35.70, just off her personal best of 20:30.

Joa finished fourth last season in the 2024 section meet, qualifying for state with a time of 15:43.5. Firchau just missed a trip to state last fall by the narrowest of margins, finishing 13th at section in 15:59.3.

Joa will compete at the University of Minnesota Les Bolstad Golf Course Saturday, Nov. 1. Joa finished 76th in last year’s state meet in a time of 16:43.4.

Park finished seventh in the boys' team race.

The Wolfpack girls placed sixth in the team race, one place finish higher than last season and three spots better than two years ago.

Rosemount won the boys team race with just 24 points, putting five runners in the top nine. Eastview was second with 64 points, followed by: Eagan third (104), Hastings fourth (108), Burnsville fifth (139), Apple Valley sixth (152), Park seventh (159) and Bloomington Kennedy eighth (161).

Park’s Will Mann finished 40th (17:24.80), Liam Fleming 42nd (17:35.20), Ben Paulsen 45th (17:51.50), Kroix Pearson 47th (18:09.10) and Adebare (Goodness) Agunbiade 52nd (18:36.90). With the exception of Firchau, all of Park’s top seven can return next season.

I was really proud of how they all competed today,” said Park head co-coach Bead Narveson. “Henry, obviously, great for him to get back to the state meet two years in a row. Eli competed hard. He’s worked hard and I know he’s disappointed but to run the time he ran the way the way he’s been feeling the last couple of weeks is really good. He fought. It’s been a hard two or three weeks for him. But to come and run 16:33, there’s not many people who can do that. And to do it when you’re not feeling good.”

In the girls' race, after Hafiz’s 16th place finish, Bella Walker was 26th (21:17.30), Mya Albrecht 27th (21:31.10), Alli Devine finished 32nd (22:14.60), Natalie Long was 41st (23:52.40), Ramsey Nelson 42nd (24:00.50) and Eva McMorrow 50th (25:20.50).

Albrecht was 36th (22:03.8) and Hafiz 39th (22:19.7) in last fall’s section meet, so both moved up considerably Thursday.

Like the boys' team, but even younger, all Park top six runners can return next season. Hafiz and Devins are juniors, Walker a sophomore, Long and McMorrow are ninth graders, while Albrecht and Nelson are eighth graders. Kalim Randrup, Park’s only senior, missed the entire season with injuries.

“I thought the girls ran really well today, competed the whole way,” said Narveson. “Bella had an awesome race and Jana too. Mya, they’re peaking at the right time. So, it was a good meet. … It’s exciting to get all the girls back, committed to the program and the training. Next year should be a fun year.”

Eagan finished first in the girls' team race with 48 points. Rosemount was second (72), Eastview third (76), Hastings fourth (94), Burnsville fifth (138), Park was sixth (142), Apple Valley seventh (163) and Bloomington Kennedy eighth (194).