NORTH DAKOTA STATE MEET 

Owen Sondag, Jocelyn Schiller Win Class A Races; Bismarck Sweeps Team Titles

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Owen Sondag of North Fargo ended a 53-year wait for a state champion in cross country Saturday at Parkhurst Recreation Area in Jamestown. 

Sondag, 11th in 2022, crossed the finish line in 15:52.2 to win the Class A individual title. The only runner to beat him in North Dakota this season, sophomore Owen Hintz of victorious Bismarck, was second. 

Bismarck replaced Williston as the top program in the state this year, sweeping the Class A championships. 

On the boys side, the Demons went 2-3-7-8-10 on the way to 30 points. Red River was next with 60 points and Willison was third with 126. 

Jocelyn Schiller from Red River, who lost to Reagan Berg of Valley City at the conference meet by 26 seconds two weeks ago, pulled off the upset in the girls championship race. Berg had defeated Schiller four times in five previous races this fall. 

Schiller's winning time of 19:24.3 was four seconds faster than Berg (19:28.2). Williston freshman Cambree Moss was third. 

Sophomore Brynn Hanson of Des Lacs Burlington/Lewis and Clark, who beat both Schiller and Berg at the NC XC Border Battle, won the Class B title in 19:42.5. It was her third straight state title. 

Bowman County swept the Class B team titles, scoring 37 points with 36 teams in the field on the boys side. The girls scored 35 points with 22 teams in the race. 

Jonah Njos, a sophomore, led the Bowman County boys with his individual win in 16:11.7. Teammates Tanner Wanner and Gavin Lambourn were third and fifth, respectively. 

The Bowman County girls went 4-6-8-13-14 to beat defending champion Rugby. Eighth grader Anna Sarsland was BC's top finisher. 

Team Champions - 

Class A - Bismarck boys 30 points, Bismarck girls 49 points - RESULTS

Class B - Bowman County boys 37 points, Bowman County girls 35 points - RESULTS