Owatonna to Recognize 50 Years of Cross Country

A busy Thursday of Owatonna High School sports includes the Ev Berg Cross Country Invitational and a chance to honor 50 years of the sport in Owatonna.

Longtime Owatonna coach Dave Chatelaine will introduce people who have coached and worked with the OHS cross country program since it began in 1967. The meet's namesake Everett Berg began the program and coached cross country and track from 1967-90. He coached a girls cross country team to a state title in 1979, and the Indians boys track team won state in 1981. More recently, the OHS boys had a string of six straight years running at the state cross country meet from 2007-12, finishing fourth on two occasions. The late Berg is a member of the Owatonna High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Chatelaine said the course at Brooktree might have to be altered slightly due to the recent rain and flooding. The first race is scheduled for 3:30PM on Thursday.

Owatonna's girls tennis team plays their Section 1AA quarterfinal match against Northfield at 4PM at the high school courts. OHS beat the Raiders 6-1 earlier this season. The winner advances to the section final four Tuesday in Rochester.

OHS soccer wraps up their regular season Thursday. The girls face Mankato East at Kennedy Elementary School in Mankato at 4:30PM. The boys host the Cougars at 7PM at the Lincoln Complex.

The Huskies volleyball team plays at Faribault at 7PM with coverage on Power 96 radio. Owatonna's girls swimming team hosts Northfield at 6PM at the junior high. The OHS b-squad football team plays Rochester Mayo at 6PM at Owatonna High School.

Area volleyball Thursday includes Blooming Prairie at defending state champion WEM, Medford at Maple River and Stewartville at Triton.