Roberts runner-up at Ely meet

ELY -- Christina Roberts of the Brainerd Warriors was runner-up in the Ely Classical Nordic skiing meet Saturday.

Roberts finished in 19:58 and teammate Hanna Stadem was 12th at 22:24.

"Christina finished second in a strong field, sending a message to Section 7 teams that she is a contender," Warriors coach Chris Hanson said. "Hanna Stadem did very well in her first classic race of the year as well."

In the boys' race, Brainerd's Titus Goodew was 19th at 19:29, Justin Tyner was 38th at 21:30 and Nick Mangan 39th at 21:41.

"It was a 4.5km classical race, which afforded us a chance to race some Section 7 teams we don't normally ski against," Hanson said. "Snow conditions were the best we've seen this year."

Girls team scores (top 4 times combined) -- 1-Ely 1:26:52; 2-Grand Rapids 1:30:38, Brainerd incomplete

Individual winner -- Kari Lunemann, Grand Rapids, 19:37

Boys team scores (16 teams) -- 1-Duluth East 1:08:46; 2-Cloquet/Carlton/Esko 1:12:44, Brainerd incomplete)

Individual winner -- Chris Lund, Duluth East, 16:43

Next meet -- Brainerd at St. Cloud Cathedral Classic 3 p.m. Thursday.