Hayfield's Gabe Tempel runs the Class A boys' race of the Minnesota State Cross Country Meet Saturday at St. Olaf College in Northfield. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

NORTHFIELD — Hayfield sophomore Gabe Tempel was a little blown away by what he saw at the Class ‘A’ state cross country meet, but he was able to regroup and put in a solid run in St. Olaf Saturday.

Tempel, who was running in his first career state meet, finished 121st out of

175 runners with a time of 17:42.

“It was unbelievable with the amount of people running,” Tempel said. “You’re used to running near the front, but you’ve got to get used to running in the back a little bit. It was an amazing race.”

Tempel was hoping to finish under 17 minutes, but he did well enough to hope he can finish in the top-100 if he gets back to state next season.

“I got close today (to 17 minutes) and I’m pleased with it,” Tempel said. “I figured out that 29 percent of the top runners in our section were seniors, so next year it’ll be the sophomores and juniors at the top.”

Tempel also had a little run-in with the weather as there was light snowfall during his morning race.

“I thought the snow was spit during the whole race and I thought people were spitting on me,” Tempel said. “But it was a beautiful day to have a race.”

Matt Welch of Proctor won the Class ‘A’ boys race with a time of 15:34.