Last fall, Eddie Snider was out-kicked by competitors in every single race.

“Except for state,” he noted. “I managed to get one guy (there).”

That was en route to an 18th place finish in 2022.

In the ensuing offseason, Snider aimed to get stronger. He trained with that goal in mind, and his efforts paid major dividends. Not only was he faster this fall, but he was able to consistently finish stronger.

“I feel like that really helped me build up that power and speed,” the Mounds Park Academy junior said. “This year, I haven’t lost a kick.”

Saturday included. Snider overtook Redwood Valley’s William Ahrens down the closing stretch to win the Class A state cross country title at Les Bolstad Golf Course.

“He got a little bit of distance on me going into the final stretch, and then I just got a little bit more momentum than he did on the final kick,” Snider said. “So I just passed him and prayed and hoped that he would not catch up, I guess.”

Snider won with a time of 15 minutes, 40 seconds – one second clear of Ahrens. Heritage Christian won the team title.

Snider’s emotions as he crossed the line first?

“I was just tired,” he admitted. “I didn’t know what to feel.”

And what were they once he had a little time to process the outcome?

“I just feel like all the hard work I’ve put in has paid off,” he said.

In a big way. Snider entered the season just hoping to finish eighth at state, which would’ve bested the result his brother, Henry, achieved as a junior. It wasn’t until Eddie won sections and peeked at the rankings for the first time this last week that he realized a championship wasn’t out of the realm of possibilities.

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“The kick is what really put me over the edge, I think,” Snider said. “It’s just weird because I also know a lot of state champions, and it’s weird that I’m now in that same group.”

BRIEFLY

St. John’s Prep’s Olivia Pauly won the Class A girls individual title, while St. Cloud Cathedral claimed the team crown. Pequot Lakes’ Eli Hall won the Class 2A boys championship as Mankato East won the team title.