By Kevin Cunningham
Sports Correspondent
For the second time in three years, on Oct. 15, the Whippets’ girls cross country team took home the Rock Valley Conference title. By just three combined points, the Whippets bested McFarland by a total team score of 59-62.
In cross country, the best five placements – lower is better – combine for the team score. Leading the way for the girls were sophomore Allison Barrett, posting her time of 20:28.88 and senior Sarah Ziolkowski, with a 20:48.76.
Ziolkowski finished right behind Barrett, as the two finished in sixth and seventh place out of the 67 girls running. Seniors Abby King and Andrea Sandoval finished in 14th and 15th overall for the Whippets, with times of 21:34.05 and 21:35.33, respectively.
Last, but certainly not least for the Whippets was freshman Nicole Tomomitsu. The first-year runner finished in 17th-place with her time of 21:53.76. The Whippets were the only team to have its top-five runners finish within the top-17, and top-27, at that.
“These girls clawed their way to the finish line and it was truly inspirational,” Whippets head coach Chad Carstens said. “We talk about not living with regret and I don’t believe they have any tonight. I honestly feel if it weren’t for their commitment to wanting it bad enough, the girls would have found themselves in second. McFarland made the girls earn it today and are a classy group. Hats off to them.”
On the boys side, Carstens said they had a goal of finishing in third, and the Whippets did. With all five of the top boys returning for next year, placing better than third isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Juniors Brodie Runez, Connor Laue and Jimmy King were the top-three Whippet runners finishing in third, 12th and 20th-place overall with times of 17:30.06, 18:37.55 and 18:52.51, respectively. Sophomores Jacob Korf and Elliot McCulloch finished in 27th and 43rd-place with their times of 19:19.99 and 20:17.13, respectively.
“Brodie is such a tough racer and wants it really bad, he’s a lot of fun to watch,” Carstens said. “However, Connor Laue tried to steal the show with his stunning 12th-place finish. I am so happy for both of these young men as they are great leaders within the program.”
Laue earned medal honors for this first time with his 18:37.55 run. The next race for both boys and girls Whippet teams takes place on Saturday at Pewaukee High School. The top-two teams in the 16-team meet will earn a trip to state as well as the top-five individuals not on those top-two qualifying teams.
