Drietz is C/M girls' MVP

The Canby/Minneota girls cross country runners received their season awards recently with Grace Drietz being chosen the team's Most Valuable Runner.
Drietz, McKenzie Ruether, Claire Stoks and Braelyn Merritt were named All-Conference.
Drietz, a junior, also received awards for All-Conference Academic, All-State Academic, and for finishing fourth in the Section 3A meet.
"Grace was our 'Comeback Kid' this season," said C/M Coach Allyson Pesek. "The end of her 2019 season was not ideal as she was unable to finish the state meet due to health complications.
"She started the 2020 season tough, too. However, after revamping her racing style and working on some physical needs off the course, she came back even stronger; leading our girls team to an undefeated regular season."
All-Conference Academic in which competitors must be in grades 11 and 12 while also maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher. All-State Academic requires a runner to have placed in the top 14 at sections, be in grades 10-12, and have a GPA of 3.75 or higher.
Ruether, a senior, was named the "Hardest Worker" on the C/M team. She was also All-Conference Academic this season.
"McKenzie has been a role model for our team for many years," said Pesek. "She knew from the moment we started this season that she was going to work hard for herself and even more for her team. She is a positive leader and motivator for all of those around her."
Ruether was a three-time state qualifier and a five-time All-Conference runner in her career.
Stoks, an eighth-grader, was selected as the "Most Improved" runner this season in her second year on the varsity, making the team midway through last season. Stoks received a medal for finishing 14th in the Section 3A meet.
"Last year, she was consistently our team's fifth runner," said Pesek. "This season she rose up to being our consistent second or third. She pushed herself on and off the course. This was a huge part of her success."
Merritt, a freshman, also earned a Section 3A medal for finishing seventh.
Blake Stoks and Kolton Duis were named All-Conference for the Canby/Minneota boys team.