Faltesek repeat winner of Fourth race

Emmett Faltesek was a standout track athlete not too long ago at Ely Memorial High School.

And since graduating, Faltesek has dominated a fundraising event for the school’s track teams.

For the second straight year, Faltesek crossed the line first in Ely’s annual Independence Day race around the Trezona Trail.

Faltesek, 23, was the overall winner at the Janet Gensler Memorial Four on the Fourth.

Faltesek, who went on to race collegiately at Concordia- St. Paul, won the event in 22 minutes, 28 seconds, but he had to battle to finish first.

Gaven Greshowak, 18, was just eight seconds behind in 22:36 and moved up after placing seventh overall.

Taking third place overall was another former Ely track standout, Izaak Nosbisch, 27. He was third in 22:45.

The women’s race was won by Emma Hatanpa, 15. She was first among females and ninth overall in 25:52.

The event doubles as a fundraiser for Ely’s high school track teams and attracted about 250 participants.

Rounding out the top-10 male finishers were:

• Sam Gausmann, 22:51;

• Blake Houde, 15, 23:43;

• Isaac Taylor, 23, 24:04;

• Nathan Bean, 14, 25:35;

• Trent Monson, 33, 25:37;

• Tim Laehn, 40, 26:00;

• August Laehn, 12, 26:17. Behind Hatanpa, the top-10 women were:

• Sierra Geatz, 17, 26:47;

• Penelope Laehn, 14, 27:22;

• Anna Klein, 25, 28:13;

• Lena Holloway-Schwinghamer, 17, 28:31;

• Molly Brophy, 17, 28:48;

• Keri Goetl, 50, 29:05;

• Jamie Blumentritt, 38, 29:22;

• Jillian Wills, 36, 30:23;

• Sydney Augustin, 66, 32:05.

A one-mile kids’ race was also held, and winners were 11-year-old Dailia Laehn (6:54) and 10-year-old Walter Townsend (7:18).

The event is named after the late Janet Gensler, who was instrumental in starting the race several years ago.