By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
Before the 2014 season even got going, the goal was clear for the Big Foot girls cross country team.
And that was for the Chiefs to finish at the top of the Rock Valley Conference South Division.
Big Foot had its chance Tuesday, and that’s just what the Chiefs did.
Big Foot finished first overall with 42 points, ahead of Brodhead’s 76, Clinton’s 80, Beloit Turner’s 88, Parkview’s 97 and Palmyra-Eagle’s 122.
“This is the meet we circle on the calendar from day one,” Big Foot coach Tim Collins said. “We realize we are not big enough to win the combined RVC Meet.
“The girls did a fantastic job of ‘pack’ running. We peaked at the right time.”
Libby Brooks led the way in fifth place (21:28), followed by Zanzie Demco, sixth (21:2); Kathryn Colby, ninth (21:49); and Olivia Briggs, 10th (22:03).
Rounding out the Big Foot runners were Kalen Gillingham, 12th (22:32); Katie Oja, 13th (22:38); and Brooke Wellhausen, 15th (22:46).
The Big Foot boys finished third overall with 78 points, behind Brodhead’s 38 and Clinton’s 69.
Rounding out the team scores were Parkview with 90 points, Palmyra-Eagle with 115 and Beloit Turner with 122.
Leading the boys were Fletcher Strahan, second (17:4); Bernie Lerchegger, fifth (18:28); and Travis Berryman, sixth (18:35).
“Fletcher, Travis and Bernie all ran very well,” Collins said. “I couldn’t ask for more out of them. We just had too big of a gap to the rest of our lineup.”
Finishing behind those three were Joe Soberg, 32nd (21:19); Randy Robaczewski, 33rd (22:03); Ben Nickels, 38th (23:29); and Connor Kirk, 40th (25:04).
Big Foot is idle until Oct. 9, when it travels to the Westosha Central Invitational.
