The Brainerd Warriors continued their impressive streak by sweeping another meet, this time at Mount Ski Gull on January 14. This marks the third consecutive meet that both the boys and girls teams have emerged victorious.
In the girls’ race, senior Piper Grillo led the Warriors with a time of 48.48, contributing to their total score of 124 points. Following her were teammates Sophia Blanck and Cece Rasinski, who secured third and fourth place with times of 51.02 and 52.31, respectively. Blanck noted the importance of racing quickly in the cold conditions, sharing that the adrenaline from the competition helped keep the team warm.
Blanck, who is in her second season with the Warriors after transferring in from Cook County, praised the supportive team dynamic despite the loss of key skiers from last season. “The Brainerd team has been super welcoming. I’ve made some good friendships and it’s awesome to be surrounded by girls who want to push themselves to be better every day,” she said.
Head coach Jim Ruttger highlighted the potential of the team, expressing confidence in the trio of Grillo, Blanck, and Rasinski as a powerful combination for the remainder of the season.
For the boys, Drew Cline led with a third-place finish of 46.54, contributing to their 146 points overall. The boys’ team also showed depth and consistency, as Cline remarked on the strength of the whole team rather than relying on a single star racer.
Looking ahead, the Warriors will compete at Giants Ridge for the MLK race on January 18, which will be their first experience on the state meet hill. Sections are set to take place in just three weeks at Wild Mountain on February 4.
The strong performances thus far indicate a promising season for the Brainerd Warriors, showcasing their talent and robust training efforts. They continue to build momentum as they head into critical competitions, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and determination.