By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School cross country program is sending a runner to state for the first time since 2009.
Taylor Mair finished sixth Oct. 25 in the WIAA Division 1 Sectional Meet at Verona and qualified for the WIAA Division1 State Cross Country Championships Nov. 1 at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.
The top two teams and top five individuals not members of one of the top two teams qualify for state out of the sectional meet in Division1 competition.
Mair completed the five-kilometer course in 20 minutes, 29 seconds. Dan Sullivan in 2009 is the last individual qualifier in Elkhorn history.
“Taylor put in the miles in the off season and worked hard during the season, which resulted in her having a great year and reaching her goal of qualifying for the state meet,” Elks coach Randi Wulf said. “I am very proud of what Taylor has been able to accomplish so far this year. Now she can look at the state meet as icing on the cake and just have fun with it.”
As a team the Elkhorn girls finished 11th of 12 teams. Stoughton won the sectional and Fort Atkinson finished second. Each advanced to State as a team.
The Elkhorn boys finished 12th of 12 teams in the sectional. Madison LaFollette won the sectional and Janesville Craig finished second to each advance to State.
Verona’s Ryan Nameth won the boys’ five-kilometer race in 15:50. Beloit Memorial’s Brenda Hernandez won the girls’ individual race in 19:15.
Mair finished fourth among the individual qualifiers. Wulf said Verona’s course, which is located on school grounds, is challenging.
Arandu Huerta led the Elkhorn boys, finishing 53rd in 18:46. Connor LaFavor finished 65th (19:29), Jacob Truesdale 68th (19:40), Time Crum 73rd (20:09) and Jayce Coffey 76th (20:47).
LaFavor posted his best time of the season, as did Logan Radlein. Elkhorn’s Jake Nethery finished 77th (20:52) and Radlein finished 79th (21:00).
Maddie Barlow finished 28th in the girls’ race in 22:09. Luz Contreras finished 61st (23:51), Diane Lopez 63rd (24:02) and Monique Briand 66th (24:30). Aubrey Clikeman finished 67th (24:41) and Natalie Sesing 73rd (25:55).
Lopez and Clikeman also finished with season-best times.
“This has been a great bunch of kids to coach this year,” Wulf said. “We have improved from last year, and with more summer miles, we should be able to be much better next year.”
