NORTHFIELD, Minn. — Shakopee’s Maria Hauger strode alone with no competitors in sight and a piece of history waiting for her at the finish line Saturday, Nov. 3. She also was alone with her thoughts as she cruised the 4,000-meter course at St. Olaf College for the final time in her high school career.
“When you are in a race like this and you are by yourself, it comes down to time,” she said. “That pushes me. That’s what gets me motivated.”
Hauger, a senior, said goodbye to her Minnesota high school league cross country career with a dominating performance in an all-time record time of 13 minutes, 42 seconds. She won her fourth consecutive big-school crown, and she broke the Class 2A record previously set by Lakeville North’s Elizabeth Yetzer (13:59.3) in 2005 and the all-time record set by Holy Family’s Bria Wetsch (13:54.7), also in 2005.
Hauger became the first four-time individual Minnesota cross country champion since Carrie Tollefson of Dawson-Boyd/Lac qui Parle Valley won five in a row from 1990-94.
“I really can’t put it into words,” she said. “This is amazing. I never would have thought I could do this.”
Hauger will continue her prep career next week at the Nike regionals in Sioux Falls, S.D., with the hopes of qualifying for the Nike national meet. She had a good tuneup, cruising to her first mile Saturday in 5:05. Her next mile was similarly fast.
She defeated Wayzata sophomore Anna French by 15 seconds.
“(Hauger) took off early from the pack,” French said. “She was really out there, going super fast. I was just trying to get third, so I am really happy.”
French’s finish paced the Trojans to the team championship with 50 points, 43 fewer than runner-up Eagan. Edina was third at 129.
Hauger said she has narrowed her list of college choices to five. She wouldn’t reveal four of them but said Minnesota is on her list.
“I am really excited about the future,” Hauger said. “I think there is more of me that I can show. I really am looking forward to improving and challenging myself.”
