By Kevin Cunningham
Sports Correspondent
The Rock Valley Conference Championship race took place on Oct. 13 for the Whitewater High School cross country team and head coach Chad Carstens had a clear goal in mind. With two boys teams who were ranked in the state competing in the meet, his goal was for his team to take third-place.
The Whippets were close, but fell just short, as the boys finished in fourth.
“This was a great showing in what has become a fairly deep conference in recent years,” Carstens said. “Jacob Korf led the Whippets with a first team performance placing 5th overall. Jacob was focused on his goal and did a very nice job committing to it without backing down at all. In fact, Jacob held off two other would be challengers to secure his 5th place. His growth within the sport is noticeable as Jacob is reaching the point where he can put together a complete race – include a finishing sprint.
“Matt Mattingly and Aidan Coburn combined to finish in 21st and 24th overall to earn Honorable Mention Honors. Both had a blazing second half of the race and really shined when it mattered most.”
Korf’s overall time, 17:51, earned him fifth-place individually, as Carstens mentioned. Mattingly and Coburn finished with times of 18:41 and 18:48, respectively.
For the Whippets’ girls team, the race took place after the boys’ race and the field was even deeper, according to Carstens, who said that four RVC schools are ranked in the state. With the heavily loaded field, the girls team finished in seventh-place.
Allisan Barrett led the way once again for the Whippets, taking fourth overall with her time of 20:29.
“Her First Team All-Conference effort was strong and persistent,” Carstens said. “There was a stiff early pace set by two East Troy girls and eventually winner Mariah Linse. They proved to be a little too much today, but [Barrett] will have another chance next Saturday at sectionals to test herself once again.
“Nicole Tomomitsu earned Second Team All-Conference Honors by placing 14th. Going up a level of conference honor over last year is a nice confidence boost for her as she heads into sectionals.”
Behind Barrett and Tomomitsu was Rebekah Schumacher, a senior. Schumacher ran a 22:05, good for 26th overall. Carstens talked a lot about what she has meant to the team throughout her time as a Whippet.
“Rebekah Schumacher ran an absolute killer race,” he said. “She ran arguably the most impressive and most complete race of her four year career. To come within two places of earning all-conference honors is simply inspiring. I am so happy and proud of her for what she was able to accomplish today for not only herself, but her team. As a senior, she will be missed greatly next season.”
Despite the regular season coming to a close, the Whippets’ runners aren’t done competing yet. Their next race will take place on Oct. 22 for the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet at Cam Rock Park No. 2 in Cambridge.
The top two teams at that meet will advance to the state meet and aside from those top teams; the top-five individuals from teams outside the top two will earn automatic qualifying bids for the state meet as well. The WIAA State Meet will take place the following weekend.
