NORTH DAKOTA STATE MEET

Wil And Ruby Ihmels Dominate Class A Races In North Dakota

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

It was a family affair at the North Dakota State Cross Country Championships on Saturday in the Class A finals at Parkhurst Recreation Area in Jamestown.

Bismarck Century’s Wil Ihmels and younger sister Ruby, who moved to North Dakota from Boise, Idaho over the summer, have made an immediate impact on the North Dakota running scene this fall. 

Both undefeated, the pair continued that trend this weekend both claiming state individual titles. Wil, a senior, covered the 5,000-meter course in a time of 15 minutes, 15.8 seconds for his first state cross county title. Ruby, who won the 5A state title for Timberline (Boise, ID) last fall, cruised to her first North Dakota title in a dominating time of 17:28.1. She was more than 1 minute and 20 seconds faster than the next runner. 

With the victory, the two became just the second siblings to win in the same year. They kept the winning tradition in the family as their dad, Corey Ihmels, former Boise State coach, ran for Williston in the early 1990s, winning three titles. 

In Class A boys, Bismarck easily defended their state title, scoring 23 points claiming the 2-3-4-5 spots and had all five runners in the top 10. 

The Class A girls team title had some drama as both Bismarck, winner last fall, and Williston, tied with 86 points. Minot was a close third with 92 points. 

In her first high school state championship race, Hillsboro/Central Valley seventh grade standout Claire Grande claimed the Class B title in a dominating time of 18:50.3. Grande was the only runner under 19 minutes as she defeated defending champion Brynn Hanson of Des Lacs-Burlington, who was second in 19:22. Grande and Hillsboro/Central Valley also claimed the team title with 64 points. The team had three runners in the top 10. 

In the Class B boys race, Bowman County’s Jonas Njos claimed his second straight state title by winning the race in 15:39, which was a new personal best for the junior.

Njos' performance was just one piece of a banner day for the program as Bowman County won its fifth consecutive state team championship with 26 points. All five runners for Bowman County finished in the top 11. 

Team Champions 

Class A - Bismarck boys 23 points, Bismarck/Williston girls (tie) 86 points

Class B - Bowman County boys 26 points, Hillsboro/Central Valley girls 64 points