Ethan Armbruster has gone from being the new kid on the block last year to the new leader at times this season for the Delano boys cross country team.

In his first attempt at the sport of cross country running last fall as a junior, Armbruster said he was really surprised that he made varsity. He not only made the team, but ranked as the No. 2 runner for the Tigers much of the season, placing in the top 10 in several races.

Again this year, Armbruster is often trailing junior Adam Arveson, who has more experience as a five-year varsity starter.

The gap between the two has become much narrower, with the runners finishing within five places of all except one meet.

A high point for Armbruster came when he placed third at the Delano Invite, two places in front of Arveson. At the recent Dassel-Cokato Invitational, Armbruster again edged his fellow Rocket to place fifth overall, while Arveson was 10th.

"At the beginning of the season, Adam was more out front," said Armbruster, who has placed in the top 10 in five of the eight meets this season. "Through the course of the season, I progressed and started to catch up to him. Sometimes I get lucky and beat him once in a while."

Armbruster adds that he tries to keep Arveson in sight because one of his stronger points is his finish.

"Adam always does pretty good, so I just have to keep up and know I am doing pretty darn well," said Armbruster. "Compared to last year, I had better times in most of my races."

Armbruster was involved in football, basketball and baseball growing up, but has traded them all for cross country and track and a new-found love for running.

In ninth grade he gave track a try and liked it so much he decided to go out for cross country last fall.

Last spring his passion for running continued to grow as he was named most improved in track, running the 1,600-and 3,200-meter events, plus helped on the 4x800 relay.

"Track is a shorter race, but I have better endurance because of cross country," said Armbruster. "Cross country running is more of being in the right mind-set. Coach Wiesner knows how to organize practices so we peak at the end of the season."

While it would be nice for Armbruster to advance to the state tournament some day, his immediate goal is to get a personal best time at each race.

A long-term goal is to run in a marathon some day.

There are still big meets ahead this year.

The Tigers will enter the Howard Lake-Waverly Invitational, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, before entering the Section 2AA meet, 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at Hazektube Par 3 golf course in Chaska. The state meet is Nov. 1 in Northfield.

At the Buffalo Invitational, Wiesner said the biggest improvement of the day was by seventh-grader Maureen Lax in the junior varsity event when she took a minute off her previous best.

Junior Ellen Woodward had another good day among some of the faster girls in the state, finishing 24th.

Arveson earned a medal in 14th, while Armbruster was again close behind in 18th.