Calonett hosting college competition

Calonett of rural Waseca is hosting a collegiate level 5k event featuring 10 colleges on Oct. 11 beginning around 11 a.m. Runners, coaches and Luther alumni will begin arriving at the property, located at 14720 Old Highway 14, around 9:30 a.m., with a color guard presentation at 10:30 a.m. Alumni from participating colleges are eligible to participate, but not eligible for awards. Following the race will be an awards presentation. More than 1,000 spectators are expected and the local community is invited to attend this free event. 

 

Walter, 76, and Cheryl, 71, Mishek, organized the second annual 2025 Coach Finanger Invitational in honor of Cheryl's mentor and college cross country coach Kenton Finanger, 93. A collegiate coach for nearly three decades, Finanger holds more national championships at the Division 3 level at Luther College in Dubuque, Iowa, than any coach in the school’s history.

 

Ten schools are expected to compete in this officially sanctioned NCAA event, with more than 200 athletes taking part. 

 

“Hopefully this will be a great honorary event for a well deserving coach,” Walter said. “And a great event for all the athletes and spectators… The coaches who came to preview the course think it’s going to be the prettiest, the best, and the hardest course their athletes have ever run. Heartbreak Hill will be quite the event to see as runners come up for the finals.”

 

Following the event, competing athletes, approximately 30 Wasecans who are Luther graduates, and volunteers and staff will be staying for a complimentary dinner catered and prepared by Calonett Farm’s personal chef, Bradley Blackhawk. 

 

Members of the general public are invited to come view the race and are encouraged to begin bringing their own chairs if they would like. Food trucks are expected to be availablepurchase by the public. Parking and admission to the race are free.