Otter Tail Central runner posts a top nine time in Class A for the season

Photo by Chad Koenen
Peter Newark broke the school record at the Perham Invite on Thursday with a time of 16:10.7. The time is not only a new program record, but is also ranked in the top nine fastest times in Class A this season.

The Otter Tail Central Bulldogs had a stellar showing across all levels at the ABE meet on Tuesday, Oct. 8, with both the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams securing overall victories, and the junior high athletes delivering standout performances. It was the first of two races that the Bulldogs would compete in for the week

Photos by Chad Koenen
Mae Hagemesiter races ahead of a group of runners during the annual Perham Invite on Thursday night in Perham. The meet featured over 1,000 runners from across west central and southwestern Minnesota. 

The boys dominated the ABE race, securing three of the top five spots and winning the meet. Talyn Setterholm led the Bulldogs with a first place finish, clocking in at 18:28.3. Peter Newark closely followed, securing second with a time of 18:31.1, while Aidan Heggem finished third at 18:48.1. Drew Robinson, an eighth grader, finished strong in seventh place (19:02.7), and Dylan Geihsler added to the team’s success by placing 12th with a time of 20:10.8. Nelson Hubert (20:59.2) and Phoenix Allison (21:06.8) finished 17th and 18th, respectively, solidifying the Bulldogs’ depth and helping them claim the top team spot.

The JV boys also impressed, led by Benjamin Sanmoogan, who took first place with a time of 21:51.0. Quinn Condiff followed in second (22:12.3), and Jack Robinson secured a fourth place finish with a time of 22:47.6. Oren Brackin (23:49.9) and Cayden Mansker (24:33.5) finished in eighth and ninth place, respectively. Other Bulldog finishers included Ethan Sonju (25:58.4), Fred Scott (26:25.3), and Nathan Sanmoogan (31:53.6).

Drew Robinson (left) and Aidan Heggem (right) lead a group of runners at the state of Thursday’s large Perham Invite race at Arvig Park in Perham.

The OTC girls also took home the team victory, led by Tegan Brandon, who placed fourth overall with a time of 21:42.2. Brielle Malone followed in sixth, finishing with a time of 21:59.2. Delia Tebrugge came in 11th (23:44.9), while Mae Hagemeister (24:49.6) and Emily Christensen (25:58.1) also placed within the top 16. Jasmine Sanmoogan finished 26th with a time of 29:39.3, contributing to the Bulldogs’ winning team performance.

The junior high girls were successful as well, with Claire Mansker claiming first place, finishing in 13:17.5. Teammate Quinn Hagemeister secured a podium spot by finishing third with a time of 15:08.2, showcasing the depth of talent in OTC’s developing runners.

Delia Tebrugge races in a group of runners during the annual Perham Invite on Thursday night. Tebrugge took 11th place overall at the Ashby/Brandon-Evansville meet last week.

The Bulldogs were then back in action Thursday as they competed in the Perham Invite. In an exciting race at the 5,000-meter varsity event, the Bulldogs had a standout performance led by Peter Newark, who not only secured fifth place, but also broke the school record with an impressive time of 16:10.7. Newark time is now top 9 in Class A this season, beating some ranked runners in the race. Other key contributors included Talyn Setterholm, who finished in 56th place with a time of 17:55.0, and Aidan Heggem, who crossed the line at 19:11.0, securing 91st place. 

Clair Mansker ran her first 5k and was able to put herself fouth all-time for OTC running 20:58. Tegan Brandon and Brielle Malone ran 21:36 and 21:59 respectively. Quinn Hagemeister had a big personal best running 23:32.

The Bulldogs are back in action Tuesday as they compete in the Park Region Conference meet, which will be Tuesday and hosted by Bertha-Hewitt at the Double Eagle Golf Course outside of Eagle Bend