Opitz, Gemar Named Athletes of the Month

Cassie Opitz and Lukas Gemar have been named USATF Minnesota's Athletes of the Month for November 2008, the organization announced yesterday.

Opitz, a senior at Eden Prairie High School, was honored for winning the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Girls Cross Country title on November 1 in Northfield Minnesota. Opitz, the Class AA 3200 meter champion in track last spring, won her cross country title with a time of 14 minutes, 24 seconds on the 4K St. Olaf College course.

Gemar, a sophomore from Moorhead High School, was recognized for his surprise win in the MSHSL Class AA Boys race. Gemar was ranked #7 entering the race but topped the field with a 15:32 clocking over the 5K course.

USA Track & Field Minnesota selects Athletes of the Month to honor excellence in track and field and its related sports in Minnesota. USA Track & Field is the governing body of the sport in the United States and the Minnesota Association of USATF sanctions and sponsors track and field, cross country, road racing, and racewalking events for athletes of all ages in the state.