Post Messenger Recorder -

Wisconsin residents savor these ideal fall days as we rush to accomplish all the things we want to do.  One more golf game, one more hike in the woods, one more trip to the apple orchard.  The cross country season races to a conclusion in the next three weeks, but, for many, it peaks next weekend.  Most schools run their final conference competition in seven days.  Race today, train for five more days, then line-up for an important Saturday morning at McCarthy Park near Marshall.  After hundreds of miles of running across fields, down country roads and through parks, we hope for enough improvement to make a mark at the conference meet.  Today will be an indicator of NGM's future success.

Baertschi Farm in Albany strikes a cheesehead as the best of a true Wisconsin cross country race.  Of course, everyone parks in a freshly cut cornfield.  Of course, we report to a rebuilt farm shed to pick up our numbers before inspecting the farm.  Of course, the paths travel up and down hills cut through the tall grass of hay fields and pastures.  At mile 1.5, the trail disappears into a woods, parallels the river, then reopens at the two-mile mark.  The last mile includes another loop up the big hill, follows the tree line, takes a gentle downhill then leaves the competitors with a 400-meter sprint to the finish line.  And, of course, the spectators munch on bratwurst and string cheese while cheering the teams from twenty-four schools.

At the pre-race meeting the Albany coach says, "This course is in the best shape its ever been in."  The temperature is in the 50-60 range, the sun is out and the wind is calm.  Perfect.

The JV girls go first, with our Walela Three-Sticks (26:19) leading the team of Georgiana Xistris-Songpanya (26:50), Sydney Sticha (27:05), Lily McGowan (29:16) and Nikki Bushee (30:18).  All five girls run 2nd fastest times of the season.

The JV boys see Jonathan Truttman (21:20), Nathan Heberer (21:23), Cole Runde (21:28), Levi Dearth (22:11) and Sam Austin (24:10) all harvesting fastest races of the year.

JV sets the trend for the day.  Therefore, varsity gals Gabbie Sawyer (21:33) and Ashley Risley (22:05) finish in the medal group with quickest times this year.  Jane Thurow (24:04), Jena Molencamp (24:30) and Kelly Fredrickson (24:38) tick off "almost fastest," while Tamara Elzen (25:25) gets her best.

Ryan Austin

Kyle Fredrickson

V boys must be fired-up now.  Kyle Fredrickson (18:12) and Max Cruse (18:26) end up on the podium by running top times.  Christian Arnett (19:19) finishes third on the team and pulls Ben Jackson (19:52) and Andrew Newberry (19:53) under twenty for all-time personal records.  Cade Beutler (20:34) and Colin McNulty (20:37) get close enough to know that breaking twenty is possible.

In their last race of the year, the middle schoolers enjoy the warmth of the noon sun.  Adam Nelson (11:00) places third in the 3000-meter race.  Mason Martinson (11:56), Ty Ready (12:23), Lucas Fink (12:41), Garrett Grossen (12:52), Griffin Ness (12:55), Mason Thompson (12:56), Desi Delforge (13:01), Ryan Austin (13:25), Simon Blohowiak (13:47), Molly Molencamp (14:18) and Sara McNulty (17:03) place well among the hundred-some tween-agers.

And afterwards, we sit on the grass, eat rice crispy bars and enjoy this beautiful Wisconsin day.  Of course.