“Both are peaking at the right time.” – coach Tim Collins on sophomores Fletcher Strahan and Kathryn Colby
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
All season, there have been signs the Big Foot boys and girls cross country teams are ready to take the next step in the programs’ development.
So it only makes sense the Chiefs saved their best effort for the biggest stage yet.
Sophomores Fletcher Strahan and Kathryn Colby finished fourth and sixth, respectively, at the Division 2 Whitewater Sectional last week to punch their tickets to next week’s state meet in Wisconsin Rapids.
The last time Big Foot was represented at state was in 2000 for the boys and 1996 for the girls.
Both teams also were solid, as the girls were fifth in the final results, while the boys were eighth.
“I am extremely proud of the entire program,” Big Foot coach Tim Collins said. “Everybody works together, and their success is a by-product of that.”
The Chiefs’ two state-bound runners made the biggest splash of the day.
Strahan finished the race in 17:27.9, while Colby ran in 16:05.9.
“Both are peaking at the right time,” Collins said. “They can still get a little better, and that is what we are working on this week.”
While both athletes are just sophomores, Collins said he’s seen plenty of improvement to this point.
And neither have scratched the surface of what they can achieve, their coach said.
“They obviously have natural ability,” Collins said. “You don’t get to this level without it. They are staking that ability to the next level.
“Fletcher will continue to get better as he gets stronger. Kathryn has the body build to be a great runner throughout her high school career.”
Next up for both is a trip to Wisconsin Rapids and the Ridges Golf Course Saturday morning.
Collins said getting to state is just a bonus on what already has been a successful season at Big Foot.
“(I want them to) enjoy the experience,” he said. “We are smart enough and realistic enough to realize that neither one will be state champ. They need to go enjoy without the pressure.”
Girls fifth, boys eighth
Finishing behind Colby for the Big Foot girls were Libby Brooks, ninth (16:13), followed by Kayla Wruk, 17th (16:31); Carlie O’Donnell, 58th (17:56); Lexi Edinger, 65th (18:17); Nicolina Falcone, 72nd (18:37); and Katie Oja, 73rd (18:43).
Pewaukee won the girls’ sectional title with 50 points, followed by Lakeside Lutheran with 123, Luther Prep with 141, Whitewater with 147 and Big Foot with 155.
“The girls had a great day,” Collins said. “Kathryn’s effort overshadowed a great day by Libby Brooks and Kayla Wruk.
“The future of the girls looks great with all the young talent we have. Traditionally, girls sometimes run their best as freshmen and sophomores. Hopefully, they will continue to improve throughout their careers.”
On the boys’ side, Ed Kinerk had the second-best effort for Big Foot, 38th (19:00), followed by Eman Huerta, 56th (19:40); Ben Lueck, 62nd (19:49); Nick Migala, 72nd (20:08); and Evan Handel, 92nd (21:09).
Jefferson won the team title with 66 points, followed by Beloit Turner with 71, Marshall with 133 and Catholic Memorial and Pewaukee with 141. Big Foot had 232 points to finish eighth.
“The boys did about as expected,” Collins said. “Michael Brody was out with an illness. With him, we could have gotten as high as fifth. Ed Kinerk, Eman Huerta and Kyle Rambatt finished their careers on a good note.”
