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New sneakers and happy feet will run at Marshall Golf Club Monday, Aug. 25.
It will signal the beginning of a new cross country season for Pipestone Area Schools and other teams across Minnesota. The meet begins at 5 p.m.
And for head boys and girls coach Mark Moeller, now in his fourth season leading the Arrows, goals have been defined.
“I would really like to see our girls place in the top five at sections this year,” Moeller said. “Last year, I was hoping for a fifth-place finish, but we had some nagging injuries that I think kept us from being completely fresh.”
To that end, Moeller has made training adjustments and revamped the Arrows’ schedule in 2025 for a better shot.
Josie Danks (far right) begins a running drill during a Thursday, Aug. 14 training session at the Paulsen Athletic Complex. Danks is expected to be a key contributor for the Arrows in 2025. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
The girls roster should be strong, fueled by experienced seniors Alivia Fruechte, Alyvia Caskey and Samatha Stokesbary plus junior Amelia Bucher.
There’s plenty of talent in the ranks of sophomores and freshmen thanks to Josie Danks, Kenley DeWilde, Rhaelee Heidebrink, Shayden Jolitz and Bella Russell.
Alyvia Caskey and Amelia Bucher prepare to participate in a drill during cross country practice on Thursday, Aug. 14, at Paulsen Athletic Complex. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Two eighth-graders are set to play roles, Hadley Fruechte and Shiloh Post.
“We are a very balanced and experienced group,” Moeller explained, “that I think will be more competitive than last year. All nine members of our section team are back, and we have others who can contest to be in that top seven. I am very excited for this group of girls.”
Danks was the Arrows’ top finisher at the Section 3A meet last October, clocking in with a time of 20:31.64 for 16th place. She narrowly missed out on qualifying for state.
Moeller was proud of Danks’ freshman campaign, in which she improved times by more than three minutes. Heidebrink and Bucher placed among the top 40 at the 3A meet in Luverne.
Several of the girls use cross country to be in tip-top shape for basketball.
The boys’ contingent is small, but mighty with sophomores Luis Ruiz-Perez and Joshua Zupp, freshman Ramon Macias and eighth-grade runner Barron Feste.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Ramon compete this fall,” Moeller said. “He had a tremendous season in track, advancing to the section meet in both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs.”
Ramon Macias will look to build off an outstanding distance season during track and field last spring. Macias was a section qualifier. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Cross country may provide a different dynamic than running on a track, but Moeller feels Macias’ potential will transfer.
There are two notable losses to graduation on the boys side, Kaden Mastbergen and Landon Johnson, putting a crimp in PAS depth.
Mastbergen has been one of the Arrows’ long-distance specialists for the past several years, and he recorded a time of 20:12.30, 73rd in a field of 100 entries at the 3A meet.
“I would like to see better numbers on the boys’ side,” Moeller said. “It’s one thing to be able to have five members so that you can score points as a team, but it’s another to have enough that they can push each other and keep each other accountable on the course and in the hallways.”
Individual success may be more in the offing instead.
Moeller provided training material and encouraged the runners to participate in an independent running program during the summer.
“If you want to be successful in running, you have to be diligent and consistent in your training,” the coach commented.
Moeller said one rule change may impact PAS this year, related to ninth-grade governance.
The rule states once a junior high aged athlete competes or moves up to a higher level — such as varsity — that athlete must remain on that roster. A return to the junior high level isn’t an option anymore. This change also will impact girls tennis.
Alivia Fruechte dodges raindrops during a Thursday, Aug. 14, practice at Paulsen Athletic Complex. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
PAS will have its own invitational on Monday, Sept. 29, with Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, Southwest Minnesota Christian-Edgerton, Elkton-Lake Benton and Lakeview (Cottonwood) all competing at Pipestone Country Club.
Most recently, two Arrows have qualified for the state meet in Caden Strasser (2022) and Taylor Post (2023).
Todd Texley, who was the Section 3A assistant cross country coach of the year in 2024, returns in that capacity again this year.
Pipestone Area Schools logo. (Contributed graphic from the PAS school district)
CROSS COUNTRY
Pipestone Area Schools
2025 Schedule
Regular Season
August
25, at Marshall Invitational, Marshall Golf Club
September
6, at Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Invitational, Tracy Golf Course; 13, at Worthington Invitational, Prairie View, Worthington; 16, at Lac qui Parle Invitational, Madison, Minn.; 23, at Murray County Invitational, Slayton Golf Club; 29, Pipestone Invitational; 29, PAS INVITATIONAL, PIPESTONE COUNTRY CLUB
October
2, at Luverne Invitational; 7, at Adrian-Ellsworth Invitational, Adrian Country Club; 14, at Big South Conference Championships, Luverne
Playoff Schedule
October
23, at Section 3A meet, Madison Country Club (Lac qui Parle Valley will serve as host)
November
1, Minnesota State High School League state meet, Les Bolstad Golf Course, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
Editor’s Note: All home meets are listed in ALL CAPS, conducted at Pipestone Country Club.