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Hermantown cross country coach Andy Wilcox has seen plenty of good teams come through the program, but this fall he says his girls squad is on another level.
“My girls team is absolutely amazing this year,” Wilcox said. “They have placed first in all three meets we have attended.”
Those victories came at Virginia, Grand Rapids/Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin and Mora — a clean sweep to open the schedule.
“We have a solid top eight girl runners this year,” Wilcox said. “They’re led by Ferrah LaLone, an 11th grader looking to make it to state for the third straight year.”
Behind LaLone, the Hawks are powered by a young core that has already proven they can run with anyone in Class AA.
“Other top runners we have are Zoey Lucarelli, an eighth-grader, and her sister Nora, who’s just a seventh-grader,” Wilcox said. “Kenzie Davis, also in eighth grade, and juniors Morgan Panichi and Avery Beranek have been outstanding too. Kara Holst, a seventh-grader, and eighth-grader Clara Thomas round out our top group.”
The Hawks’ depth has vaulted them into statewide recognition.
“The girls varsity team is currently ranked ninth in the state for Class AA,” Wilcox said. “They have a huge opportunity to showcase their abilities this upcoming Saturday at the Roy Griak Invitational.”
On the boys’ side, the Hawks are leaning on a familiar leader and an emerging group of youngsters.
“For the boys team, Cooper Lucarelli continues to be my top runner,” Wilcox said. “He looks to make it down to the state for the second time in a row.”
Lucarelli, a junior, has been setting the pace for Hermantown while his classmate, Matthew Strukel, has locked in as the Hawks’ No. 2.
“After him, we have a very young group of eighth-grade boys who have shown some grit and drive,” Wilcox said. “That will help them grow as runners for the next few years.”
That group was supposed to be led by another young standout, but the Hawks’ coach said they’ve had to adjust quickly.
“That group is led by Karter Davis, but he sustained a season-ending hip injury after the Virginia meet,” Wilcox said. “He has helped guide those other eighth-graders from the sidelines while we are at other meets.”
The Hawks’ next two weeks are packed with tradition and opportunity.
“Upcoming meets for us include the Hibbing Rotary on Sept. 25,” Wilcox said. “That will showcase many of the top area teams, so it should give us an idea on what sections may look like.”
But the biggest date circled on the Hermantown calendar is the first Saturday in October.
“Then we have the return of the Swain Invitational,” Wilcox said. “Yes, the iconic race is back, and the most amazing part is the Hermantown Hawks are the host school.”
Wilcox said he’s been working for nearly a year to revive one of the region’s most storied meets.
“I have been allowed to bring this race back,” Wilcox said. “I’ve been planning it since December of 2024.”
The event, set for Oct. 4 at Enger Park Golf Course in Duluth, will feature middle and high school races beginning at 10 a.m.
“Currently we have 45 teams signed up for this year, which is perfect in my opinion for the first year back,” Wilcox said. “I already have 15 or so schools that want to be part of it next year that will not participate this year.”
Some changes will be noticeable for those who remember Swain from its heyday.
“One of the big changes this year is extremely limited parking on site,” Wilcox said. “So we have a shuttle service going back and forth from Lake Superior College and Enger Park Golf Course throughout the day.”
There’s also a new twist that could connect the community to the event in a lasting way.
“We have added an extra race after the high school races finish,” Wilcox said. “This year will be the first annual Kara Goucher Community & Alumni 5K race.”
The idea is to bring together past and present, according to Wilcox.
“All the runners who may have run Swain in the past can re-run it,” he said. “Or for runners who missed their chance the last five years, they can try it out.”
Registration for the 5K is open through an online link, Wilcox said, and the coach added that the level of interest is already strong.
For now, though, the focus remains on a group of Hawks who have a chance to etch their names among the program’s best.
“These kids have been working incredibly hard,” Wilcox said. “I couldn’t be prouder of how they’ve started, and I’m excited to see where they can go.”