An ill-timed side ache took its toll on Ely’s Molly Brophy.
The Timberwolves’ junior was raring to go Saturday morning in the Twin Cities and was poised for a strong outing at the state Class A girls cross country meet.
But after a strong start, the side ache hampered Brophy and slowed her on the course at the University of Minnesota.
Brophy wound up 71st overall in a field of 160 runners, finishing in 20:35.2.
“It went good and not so good,” said Ely Head Coach Jayne Dusich. “She ended up getting a side ache. She was ready to race. Everything was going good and she was very focused, and then about a mile in she got a side ache.”
Brophy, who was making her fifth straight appearance at the state meet and was 35th as a sophomore, had battled a rib injury for much of the season.
“She ran by and she came past holding her side and I thought maybe her ribs were giving her trouble again,” said Dusich. “But about a mile in she got the side ache and she still actually had a good time for running with a side ache for two miles.”
Margaret Duffy, a junior from St. John’s Prep, won the Class A girls title with a time of 17:55.5.
The top Section 7A finisher was Cromwell’s Ari Dahl, an eighth grader who was 13th in 19:10.8. Chisholm’s Olivia Pascuzzi took 31st (19:39.7) and Mesabi East eighth grader Kyla Roseth was 33rd (19:41.5).
New London-Spicer won the girls team championship and 7A qualifiers Greenway and Crosby-Ironton were 10th and 15th, respectively.
Brophy ran on a cool morning.
“We got there Friday and it rained the whole day but then Saturday we got there at about 9:30 in the morning and it was cool and dry with no wind, actually perfect for running.”
