Wilson finishes 18th
By Greg Seubert
A core of experienced seniors helped New London move up in the boys’ Division 2 standings at the WIAA State Cross Country Championships.
The Bulldogs improved from 15th last year to eighth at this year’s meet, held Nov. 1 at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.
Meanwhile, Clintonville’s Jesse Wilson also improved on last year’s 121st-place finish in Division 2 to 18th this year with a time of 16:56.3.
Max Krause led New London by placing 39th in 17:09. Krause and teammates Kaden Reybrock and Jeff Smolinski also ran at last year’s state meet.
“I have a great group of senior boys that have working hard,” coach Nick Schaefer said. “When they were freshmen, we had a senior, Robbie Watling, who made it to state and he kind of laid the groundwork. He instilled a work ethic in these guys.”
Other finishers for the Bulldogs were Keagan Reybrock (53rd, 17:19.2); Riley Titterton (61st, 17:24.7); Kaden Reybrock (80th, 17:36.2); Jeff Smolinski (93rd, 17:44.6); Logan Horn (123rd, 18:13.6); and Mac Voight (132nd, 18:23.3).
“We’ve had four different guys lead our team this season, so they’re all right there,” Schaefer said. “Max and Riley are definitely speed guys from track. Kaden’s definitely a long-distance guy and he does a great job of pulling those guys along. Jeff’s a transfer from football who thinned himself out and looks like a runner now. Keagan’s a sophomore who didn’t run last year. He does a great job of starting out patient and working his way up the whole race.”
Valders won the boys’ Division 2 team championship with 78 points, followed by Notre Dame (108), Freedom (116), La Cross Logan (133), Shorewood (174), Elk Mound (177), Wisconsin Lutheran (188), New London (192), Deerfield/Cambridge (212), Winneconne (243), St. Croix Central (275), Jefferson (278), Osceola (289), Wautoma/Wild Rose (309), New Glarus/Monticello (344) and Mount Horeb (347).
Shorewood won the girls’ Division 2 team championship with 61 points, followed by Osceola (102), Freedom (149), Medford (152), Xavier (188), Winneconne (189), Port Washington (198), Hayward (205), Tomahawk (214), Lake Mills (221), Wisconsin Dells (237), Little Chute (250), Mount Horeb (255), McFarland (269), Kewaskum (347) and Jefferson (385).