---

Convincing!
That's the best word to describe the Dodgeville-Mineral Point girls cross country team's second consecutive WIAA Division 2 state cross country team championship at Wisconsin Rapids.
Dodge-Point senior Molly Hanson won the race in a personal best and school record time of 14:23.1 and they had four runners finish in the top 15 and all scorers in the top 21. Also, they won by 70 points scoring 45 to runner-up Madison Edgewood's 115.
"The day was beautiful, the course was perfect...and so was the running by the Dodgeville/Mineral Point girls team. It never gets old. Winning a state championship is such a thrill for everyone involved. Having back to back championships is even better," were the comments by Dodge-Point coach Denny McGraw following the race.
Hanson became Dodgeville-Mineral Point's third individual champion. She did it 10 years to the day that her sister, Michaela Courtney (14:39), won in 2001. Katrina Rundhaug ran a 14:24 to win in 2002.
Coach Joe Hanson was happy he was able to help coach his daughter (Molly) to a state tournament title.
"She has won four individual titles in her high school career and if you had to pick one, this probably would be the best one to win," Hanson said in an interview following his daughter's win.
He added, "Mineral Point and Dodgeville is a self propelled program right now. Kids grow up and want to be a part of the program."
In an interview, Molly said, "It feels amazing to win this race. It's the perfect way to end my senior year of cross country."
Hanson ran away from her next five contenders down the stretch with Aquinas senior Maddy Haupert taking 2nd in 14:27.09. Then came Plymouth senior Haley Johnson in 14:28.56, McFarland senior Liz Smits in 14:31.51, Chilton junior Kristen Linzmeier in 14:34.85 and Platteville senior Tricia Serres in 14:44.31 - all who reached the podium individually.
Dodge-Point freshman Hannah Owens finished 7th individually and was 4th in the team standings in 14:49.49 while sophomore Anna Eisenzimmer took 11th (6th) in 14:58.26 - so Dodge-Point had three runners crack the 15:00 barrier.
Sophomore Mairin Cahill ran a 15:17,87 to finish 22nd (13th) as the fourth runner to crack the top 15.
Their final scorer was senior Abby Philipps whose 15:45.47 gave her 38th (21st) - so all scorers broke the 16:00 barrier.
The final two D-P runners were senior Macy McConnell who was 94th (55th) in 16:32.36 and freshman Emily Philipps who was 100th (61st) in 16:39.1 - so all runners broke the 17:00 mark.
There were 152 runners in the D2 race.
The win was the fourth for Dodge-Point with the other titles in 2005, 2006 and 2010. They were runners-up in 2004 and 2007.
The rest of the team scores were: Freedom 127, Luxemburg-Casco 172, Wisconsin Lutheran 178, Shorewod 185, Chilton 205, Sparta 213, Plymouth 221, Pewaukee 226, Notre Dame 226, Rice Lake 255, Viroqua 319, Bloomer 320, Poynette 325, Watertown Luther Prep 337.
McGraw talked about his individual girls saying, "Molly Hanson was phenomena.! It was amazing to see her win the individual championship for the Division 2 girls. She put in so many miles this past summer to prepare herself for Saturday. Then in the last three weeks she really pulled it all together and proved she was state champion.
"Hannah Owens is going to be a force to be reckoned with! Finishing 7th in the state meet as a freshmen is outstanding. We only look for bigger and better things from her.
"Anna Eisenzimmer is improving with each race and her state race was no exception. She ran smart and strong and will continue to be a top runner.
"Mairin Cahill is such a key to the success of this team. She is someone you can really depend and is such a solid component of this team.
"Abby Philipps ran such a great race at state, and participated in four state cross country meets.
"Macy McConnell ran a super race at state. Her leadership has been so important all year long for this team.
"Emily Philipps ran a very good race and her experience at state will only help her in the future."
The alternates for state were Mary Hanson, Megan Hottmann and Kylie Greenheck.
Dodge-Point boys 4th; Wunnicke 2nd
The Dodgeville-Mineral Point boys team fell a little short of a trophy, but finished 4th in the field of 16 with 151 team points.
Wisconsin Lutheran won with 77 points with Nekoosa/Port Edwards next at 93. Shorewood topped Dodge-Point 114-155 for 3rd.
The rest of the team scores were: Aquinas 162, Monroe 188, Freedom 191, Oconto Falls 203, Valders 212, Northwestern 238, Little Chute 266, Ashland 270, Waupun 293, Poynette 334, Pewaukee 352, Lakeside Lutheran 358.
New Glarus-Monticello junior Ryan McCoy was the individual winner in 15:38.27.
"The boys team really ran well and placed fourth at the state meet. We are proud of how hard they worked and how well they ran on Saturday," McGraw pointed out.
Dodgeville-Mineral Point junior Trevor Wunnicke took the runner-up spot and was the top team finisher in 15:50.61.
Madison Edgewood senior Joe McKenna was next in 15:58.64, just out-legging Aquinas junior Michael Christianson's 15:59.92. Bloomer senior John Vodacek (16:06.38) and Ashland senior Josh Smith (16:06.85) were the others to reach the podium as individuals.
Dodge-Point's second runner was senior Brett Hottmann who ran a 16:47.88 that was good for 25th individually and 16th for the team score.
Junior Ian Ewers was 56th (37th) in 17:16.07 with senior Mark Schmitz 71st (45th) next and junior Josef Frank 82nd (52nd) in 17:35.49 to round out the scoring.
Two seniors, Matt Dougherty and Greg Hanson, were Dodge-Point's final two runners. Dougherty was 142nd (102nd) in 19:01.6 while Hanson took 146th (106th) in 19:09.67.
In talking about his individuals, McGraw said, "Trevor Wunnicke ran an outstanding race to capture the runner up champion title for Division 2 boys. He is one of the most dedicated runners we have ever had and we are glad he is only a junior and we get him back for another year.
"Brett Hottmann gave it his all at the state meet. As a senior he has been a great leader and an inspiration to his teammates.
"Ian Ewers will only get better. What a great addition he has been to our team and we look forward to seeing what he can do next year.
"Mark Schmitz improved all year long and he ran very hard in the state meet to finish so well.
"Joe Frank continues to be a key part of the boys program. He works hard and we look for him to be a key leader in our program next year.
"Matt Dougherty and Greg Hanson finished out senior year running well at the state meet."
The alternates for the boys were Alex Trollop and Tyler Wunnicke.
There were 152 runners in the race with 151 finishing.
In concluding, McGraw said, "The teams want to thank their parents, teammates, and fans who came to the state meet. It was the largest crowd we have ever had. We also want to thank the Dodgeville, Ridgeway and Mineral Point fire departments who escorted us after the sectional and state meets. Being brought in with fire trucks and the crowd that greeted us helped to make it even more memorable. Roger Hirstein (coach of the 1967 state cross country team from Dodgeville) always calls me to congratulate the runners on their great job. He has a quote that says so much, "It is always great when you live in a community where the sirens lead your children into town, rather than chase them!"
Season note: Matt McGraw, son of head coach Denny McGraw, joined the cross country program this year as an assistant coach. Denny said he has been a "great addition to the staff."