Both the Dodgeville-Mineral Point boys and girls cross country teams finished as runners-up in the SWC Conferrence meet held at Prairie du Chien Thursday.
The boys were edged by Richland Center/Ithaca 46-41 while the girls took 2nd 51-64 with Platteville winning.
Individually, Dodge-Point’s Johnny Robinson took 2nd to Richland Center/Ithaca’s Owen Drier 16:24 to 16:42 and Avalee Langreck was 3rd in 19:42 in the girls race. The winner was RC/ ithaca’s Margaret Lawless in 19:04, followed by Lancaster’s Maddie Driscoll in 19:30.
Following the top two boys teams were: Platteville 73, Lancaster 94, Prairie du Chien 140 and River Valley 141.
All of the D-P boys who scored finished in the top 20 with Leif Nelson 5th in 17:21, Nolan Allendorf 10th in 18:00, Rhet Spurley 12th in 18:11 and Jack Tippet 17th in 18:45. Then came Jack Christopher 18th in 18:50 and Brayden McWilliams 22nd in 19:00.
River Valley finishes were: Nathan Hamilton 8th in 17:50, Ramsey Amble 25th in 19:27, Emmett Woodhouse 24th in 21:09, August Polkinghorne 36th in 22:0- 0, Myles Strobush 38th in 24:15. There were only two JV teams with Dodge-Point topping RC/Ithaca 16-47.
D-P took the top five spots: 1. Aiden Patterson 19:05, 2. Logan Swinehart 19:09, 3. Brady Blackford 19:22, 4. Levi Drury 19:36, 6. Elliot Hesseling 20:22, 7. Owen Michek 20:24, 8. Liam Kabat 21:06.
Following Langreck in the girls race were: Payton Christopher 9th in 21:117, Raina Arndt 11th in 21:21, Elise Engel 18th on 22:09 and Lilly Houtakker 23rd in 22:47. Then came Autumn Pagenkopf 27th in 23:08 and Chloe Eastman 31st in 23:52.
Following the top two teams were: Lancaster 64 (Dodge-Point won on 6th finisher), Richland Center/Ithaca 86, River Valley 99, Prairie du Chien 149.
River Valley finishes were: Millie Maes 5th in 20:34, Aubrey Anliker 13th in 21:39, Brielle Grant 19th in 22:14, Hayden Hegland 30th in 23:49, Raegan Sackett 32nd in 24:20, Camryn Ferguson 34th in 24:52, Leona Kromm 36th in 24:53.
In the JV run, Platteville topped Dodge-Point 30-39 with Prairie du Chien next with 63.
Lancaster hade the top two runners as Zoey Lindholm won in 23:31 over teammate Hanley Wahl’s 23:38.
Dodge-Point had the next two finishes as Adelynn Pagenkopf ran 23:53 and Faye Schuette 24:06.
Rounding out their finishes were: Abbey Finley 3rd in 24:18,Brynlinn Cartwright 16th in 29:17, Merit Pawelski 17th in 29:45 and Bristol Cartwright 18th in 30:08.
River Valley JV runners were: Phoebe Butteris 15th in 26:49, Lilly Spahn 16th in 27:19, Evelyn Tripilin 22nd in 28:21, Gina Klein 26th in 29:25.
A very pleased coach Denny McGraw had this to say:
“It was a chilly, rainy day for the SWC Conference Meet held at the Prairie du Chien Golf Course. We were very pleased with how well our athletes came ready to race. They have been working hard all season.
Girls Varsity
The girls ran one of their best races of the year to place second at the conference meet. They tied with Lancaster, and when that happens you go to the 6th runner to determine which team wins. This was the first time all season that the girls beat this very good Lancaster squad. Avalee Langreck was 3rd overall with another outstanding performance. We are excited to see Avalee continue to improve each week. Payton Christopher (9th) knows how to pull it all together toward the end of the season and ran very well. Raina Arndt (11th) had her best race of the year with only a few seconds behind her competition. Elise Engel (18th) is starting to embrace the sport of cc and showing her potential as the season progresses. Lilly Houtakker (23rd) really hung in and ran a very good race. Autumn Pagenkopf (27th) stepped up to be our sixth runner by passing the Lancaster girl down the stretch. This made us the second place team. Rounding out varsity was Chloe Eastman (31st) who continues to put forth her best effort.
Girls JV
The girls JV also placed 2nd in the conference JV meet. Adalynn Pagenkopf (3rd) and Faye Schuette (4th) led the JV team. They will be the two alternates for the sectional meet. Both ran smart races and show good leadership. Abbey Finley (6th) came off an injury to gut it out and run well. Brynnlin Cartwright (25th), Merit Pawelski (27th), and Bristol Cartwright (29th) rounded out the JV runners and have improved all year.
Boys Varsity
The boys varsity placed 2nd in a competitive race where the boys stepped up and gave it their all. This is the closest we have been to the Richland Center/Ithaca team all season, and we only placed 5 points behind them. Johnny Robinson placed 2nd and continues to show why he is truly an elite runner in the state. He has worked hard to get to this level. Leif Nelson (5th) is showing what the summer miles can do to help you peak at the right time of the year. Nolan Allendorf (10th) absolutely ran his best race of the year by pacing himself to finish well. Rhet Spurley (12th) is coming on at the right time of the year and gaining confidence to improve each meet. Jack Tippet (17th) and Jack Christopher (18th) are two freshmen who have really showed what hard work and determination can do. They both worked hard all summer and that is showing. Brayden McWilliams (22nd) rounded out the varsity by continuing to move up throughout the race.
Boys JV
The JV boys won the conference meet. Aiden Patterson (1st) and Logan Swinehart (2) led the way for the JV runners and will be the two alternates for the sectional meet. Both ran hard and finished strong. Brady Blackford (3rd) and Levi Dury (4th) have improved so much and are fun to have on the team with their positive attitudes. Elliot Hesseling (6th) and Owen Michek (7th) helped the team by working hard in practice and making everyone better. Liam Kabat (9th), Murphy Keyes (12th) and Kegan Patterson (19th) rounded out of the team by running well.
Congratulations to the following all conference runners:
1st team (top 7 varsity runners) Avalee Langreck (3rd) Johnny Robinson (2nd) Leif Nelson (5th) 2nd team (varsity runners 8-14) Payton Christopher (9th) Raina Arndt (11th) Nolan Allendorf (10th) Rhet Spurley (12th)
We want to thank the senior runners for their hard work and dedication to the Dodge Point Cross Country Program. We have been so fortunate to work with these fine young people who understand the importance of being good leaders and role models for their team, schools, and communities.
Payton Christopher, Lilly Houtakker, Chloe Eastman, Faye Schuette, Brynnlin Cartwright, Johnny Robinson, Rhet Spurley, Elliot Hesseling.
We want to thank Joey Martin and Matt McGraw for doing all the work to set up the course at the Dodgeville High School on Wednesday. Prairie du Chien was concerned that the golf course would not let them run the race if the rain continued, so these two hard working administrators set up the course as a back-up plan. We are so fortunate to have an administration that go above and beyond to make sure our students have as many opportunities as possible.
The Sectional Meet will be Friday, October 23, at Twining Park Course, 425 – 14th Avenue, Monroe, WI. Girls will run at 4:00, Boys at 4:45, followed by awards ceremony. Come support Dodge Point Cross Country, then head to watch Dodgeville or Mineral Point football to support your team in the playoffs. Both teams play at 7:00 with Dodgeville at Darlington, and Mineral Point at home.”
