Three area cross country teams opened 2015 season in Amherst

By Greg Seubert

Iola-Scandinavia’s Natalie Rustad edges St. Mary Catholic’s Christina Porter at the finish line of the girls’ race.

Three area cross country teams opened the 2015 season at the Standing Rocks Invitational.

The Portage County park west of Amherst is usually pretty quiet this time of year, but that wasn’t the case Thursday,  Aug. 27, as more than 20 varsity, junior varsity and middle school teams competed at the invitational, hosted by Amherst High School.

Amherst won the boys’ title with 31 points, followed by St. Mary Catholic (40), Brillion (82), Clintonville (99) and Manawa (107). Weyauwega-Fremont, Iola-Scandinavia and Marion had incomplete varsity teams. Amherst’s Adam Wise placed first with a time of 18:31.6.

Clintonville returned home with the girls’ championship with 32 points, followed by Amherst (58), Brillion (82), Marion (84) and St. Mary Catholic (101). Weyauwega-Fremont, Manawa and Iola-Scandinavia had incomplete varsity teams. Marion’s Delaney Greene-Gretzinger won the girls race in 19:53.6.

Manawa’s Andrew Scheller had the top finish among area boys, as he placed 11th in 19:37.9. Also placing for the Wolves were Jared Zielke (17th, 20:28.3); Sebastian Wagner (27th, 22:54.7); Scott Schneider (29th, 23:28.2); and Devin Loughrin (36th, 29:08.2).

Iola-Scandinavia’s Erik Kriewaldt placed 21st in 21:16.3, while Weyauwega-Fremont’s Glenn Walborn placed 34th in 25:52.9.

Leighten Fischer led the I-S girls by placing fourth in 21:58.9. Also placing for the Thunderbirds were Jada Beacom (eighth, 23:20.2); Natalie Rustad (24th, 26:41.3); and Haley Ullom (31st, 28:47.3).

Weyauwega-Fremont’s Caragan Volz placed fifth in 22:03.

Manawa’s finishers were Jody Wentworth (26th, 26:45.2); Lexi Smiles (34th, 29:09.4); and Brianna Severson (35th, 29:47.3).