We are thankful for the enthusiasm our Spud athletes and families brought to an exciting Border Battle in Grand Forks! With no meet on the schedule this week, we have an opportunity to make the most of our last training block of the season by continuing to build commitment and consistency. Excellence is built through the fundamentals, so our challenge this week is simple: do the little things well, especially when nobody is watching. We are excited to race again (at home!) on Monday, October 5!
Moorhead Spuds
Cross Country
Issue #4 · Fall 2026
Spuds XC Newsletter - Fall 2026
Eighth Grade Girls
Win the Paddle.
Win the Paddle.
The Border Battle in Grand Forks is a battle for the paddle, and nearly 100 teams turned up for the fifth one. The eighth grade girls brought one home. The sixth grade boys won their race too, and the seventh and eighth grade boys each took second.
From the Coaching Staff
Coach's Comments
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The eighth grade girls with the paddle.
Sep 26 · Border Battle · Lincoln Drive Park, Grand Forks
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6th Boys
1st
6th Girls
5th
7th Boys
2nd
7th Girls
12th
8th Boys
2nd
8th Girls
1st
JV Boys
6th
JV Girls
6th
Varsity Boys
14th
Varsity Girls
9th
The Moorhead Spuds competed at the fifth annual Border Battle on Saturday, September 26, at Lincoln Drive Park in Grand Forks, North Dakota, continuing a tradition that has seen Moorhead participate in all five editions of the meet. The event brought together nearly 100 teams from across the region for a full day of competition spanning 6th grade through varsity. Full results are available here.
The sixth grade boys opened the day with a team victory in the mile. Parker Sayles led the Spuds in ninth place in 6:30.5, followed by Everett Klinkhammer in 10th at 6:33.6 and Owen Benhardt, who rounded out the scoring three, in 12th at 6:35.1. The sixth grade girls placed fifth, led by Genevieve Weeks in eighth at 7:06.4, followed by Emma Zuehlsdorff in 13th at 7:41.5 and Elsie Fischer in 15th at 8:40.4.
The seventh-grade boys followed with a second-place team finish of their own. Jack Fay led the Spuds with a second-place finish in 10:39.8, followed by Toren Rinehardt in seventh at 11:15.0 and Christian Meyer in 61st at 12:50.6. The seventh-grade girls followed, with Hana Dooher leading Moorhead in 38th place in 13:23.6. Kinsley Abel finished 54th in 14:03.7, while Greta Bailey placed 56th in 14:08.8.
The eighth-grade boys also took second. Jace Evenson paced the Spuds with a 15th-place finish in 11:13.1. Will Benson followed in 18th at 11:16.8, while Andrew Clark placed 20th in 11:20.0. The eighth-grade girls turned in one of the day's strongest team performances, capturing the team championship. Addyson Thiel led the Spuds with a second-place finish in 11:53.6, followed by Amelia Thiel in eighth at 12:06.9 and Asha Olson in ninth at 12:19.6.
The varsity boys finished 14th as a team and were led by Kade Polomny, who placed 45th overall in 16:39.8. Conner Copeland finished 56th in 16:52.6, Joshua Anderson placed 99th in 17:48.3, Dylan Riepe was 111th in 17:59.7, Spencer Polomny finished 118th in 18:04.5, Jonathan Nelson was 123rd in 18:08.6, and Donnie Copeland rounded out the Spud finishers.
The varsity girls finished ninth as a team, led by Sophia Johnson, who placed 15th overall in 19:08.0. Audrey Humeniuk finished 51st in 20:07.1, Isabelle Lockhart was 55th in 20:18.2, Ava Stout placed 81st in 21:07.0, Lauren Gess finished 93rd in 21:23.5, Ellie Rossland was 96th in 21:25.1, and Barrett Sokness finished 100th in 21:32.5.
The JV boys finished sixth as a team, led by Gabe Cragg, who placed 24th in 18:05.8. Evan Miller finished 30th in 18:19.0, Alexander Clark was 42nd in 18:32.5, Gannon Helmick placed 44th in 18:33.5, and Parker Helgeson finished 81st in 19:18.6.
The JV girls also finished sixth, with Isabelle Thibert leading the Spuds in 21st place in 21:51.4. Abigail Garcia-Garcia placed 29th in 22:18.1, Bella Zuehlsdorff finished 44th in 22:38.6, Elsa Pennington was 68th in 23:26.1, and MaKenna Fowler rounded out the top five in 71st at 23:29.7.
Watch
Border Battle Recap
We are not naming any names, but our videographer forgot to film the boys races. Boys highlights will be back next week.
Old-timers Coach Lundberg and Coach Barnett finished the day with strong efforts in the community race, while Spud dad Jim Fay achieved a top-10 finish. Coach Hanson continued his streak of not winning the community race.
Cory's Corner
The shirt returns, in homage to his Grand Forks outfit from a few years back. Maybe Cory really was sick on Saturday. The evidence points to the golf course.
From the track
Workout Wednesday*
* on a Thursday
Out in the community
Miles for Kids
Some of our Horizon runners and Coach Kit found the Miles for Kids runner 30 miles into his journey, a hundred mile run stopping at every school in the Moorhead, Fargo and West Fargo districts. Fargo Forum subscribers can read his story here.
Core Values
Spud Shoutouts
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Border Battle
Runners of the Meet
Embracing Challenge
Sophia Johnson
Junior
Sophia earned a shout out for embracing challenge, running a season best on her way to a strong day at the Border Battle.
Excellence
Dylan Riepe
Senior
Dylan earned a shout out for excellence. He is consistent and disciplined, he holds to the team's values when that is the hard thing to do, and he loves the process.
Athlete photos: RWP
Class of 2026
Senior Features
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In their own words. Right click or press and hold to save either card.
Once a Spud
Spuds Alumni
It was a lighter weekend for Spud XC alums, with just one meet on the schedule. Jacki Johnson (’25) and Ava Dunnigan (’25) competed at the Augustana Invite on Friday, September 25, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jacki helped Augustana to a fifth place team finish, while Ava helped MSUM place 13th.
Coming Up
Week Ahead
No meet this week, which gives the Spuds their last full training block of the season. Then it is back home to Bluestem on Monday, October 5 for the FM All City Middle School Championships.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Their support puts Spuds on the course.
Sponsor Spuds XC
Spuds Cross Country is looking for community business sponsorships.
Spud Sponsor
$500
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$250
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$100
Every sponsor receives:
- Your logo in every newsletter, going out to team families and alumni, linked to your website.
- A picture of the team to display at your business.
- A handwritten thank you from the XC captains.