Things Look Up As Things Drop
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Photo courtesy of Steve Wehrley
The New Glarus-Monticello Cross Country varsity boys had their best race of the season, placing third at the Platteville Invitational. Left to right: Dane Duerst, Rudy Wicker, Ty Ready, Conor McCoy, Adam Nelson, Kellan Zweifel. Not present: Garrett Grossen.
Finally, the conditions align for fast times. Temperature falls from 90s to 60s, the course is rolling but not hilly, our athletes' stopped coughing and demonstrate healthy breathing. We arrive at Platteville's Veterans' Park on a cool, clear Saturday morning.
The middle schoolers start the first race slowed only by the dew on the grassy trails. Karley Michels (9:52) leads the girls team through the 1.5 miles course, placing 10th overall. She's followed by Dayna Karls (10:44), Whitney Disch (10:50), Tenley Faber (11:07), Annie Fuller (11:09), Rachel Niceschwander (11:11) and Annaka Boldebuck (11:58).
Evan Guenther (8:44) battles two other middle school boys throughout the entire race. He's awarded second place after a furious sprint and a photo finish. Tom Nelson (8:59) lurks just behind in sixth, with Beckett Malaise (9:11) in ninth. Braylon Hoesly (9:47), Aiden Runkle (10:28), Ian Schwartzlow (10:57), William Carnes (10:59), Carter Ness (12:20), Knolan Kemp (12:23), Landon Schneeberg (12:26) and Ray Valentine (12:30) turn over their fastest 1.5 mile times.
The New Glarus-Monticello Cross Country girls experience the best part of the morning. Barely 60 degrees, calm winds and a friendly, sunny sky allow senior Gabby Whisler (22:15) to drop a minute from her previous fastest time. Walela Three-Sticks (23:27) loses an equal amount from her season best, with Molly Molencamp (24:03) one second away from her quickest race. Emily Streiff (29:17) breaks the half-hour barrier with Brooke Dreyfus (30:25) getting closer to it. The girls nudge out Belleville by a mere 10 points.
Joe Quaglia (19:35) takes off fast in an attempt to earn a varsity spot next week. His quick junior varsity race encourages Simon Blohowiak (19:50) and Robert Burt (19:53) to break twenty minutes. Desi Delforge (21:15) and Griffin Ness (21:26) run their fastest and pull Lucas Fink (22:35), Eric Zielinski (22:41), Tristin Flanagan (23:23) and Keegan Kemp (24:12) into a new speed zone.
Varsity boys approach the starting area for their warm-up. They've developed the speed and stamina to be competitive in this big Platteville race. Two trophies will be awarded in the small school division. They're ready for this opportunity to race good athletes and best them.
Freshman Conor McCoy (17:44) drops exactly one minute from last weeks rugged course and finds himself running in the seventeens. Sophomore Adam Nelson (18:04) comes frustratingly close to breaking eighteen. Kellan Zweifel (18:57) and Ty Ready (18:59) find enough sprint to beat the clock. Rudy Wicker (19:08), Garrett Grossen (19:15) and Dane Duerst (19:28) finish with all V boys under twenty.
While we wait for results, the guys comment: Ty Ready, "I felt really good." Rudy Wicker, "I liked that race, I thought it was a good course to PR on." Adam Nelson, "The entire race I was passing people."
Traditionally, the announcer starts with the last team. After giving place, points and name they quickly move on to the next. We DON'T want to hear NGM until the end. We hold our breath as the announcer says "In third place with 103 points..." (no, no, not my team please) New Glarus-Monticello (darn). And, in second, receiving a trophy, with 93 points, Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld."
Our fastest times place us tantalizingly close to WH/B. We've got the Albany Invitational next Saturday then one final encounter with the Vanguards at the Conference Meet on October 14th.
