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"They" say practice makes perfect.
Whoever said that must've had the Dodgeville-Mineral Point girls cross country in mind.
A good share of the team literally runs year around to help them meet their goals.
One of those goals is to earn a trip to the state meet, something the team has done for the past 18 years - only make it 19 now.
The Dodge-point team finished second a couple of weeks ago to a determined McFarland team at the Platteville Invitational but this past Saturday - at sectionals - they turned the tables and came out on top scoring 48 points to 57 for the Spartans to claim the Division 2 section al title at Platteville Saurday.
Madison Edgewood senior Amy Davis, who is UW Madison bound, won the meet in 18:23, but the next two runners were Dodge-Pointers.
Senior Hannah Owens finished in 19:45 with another senior Mary Hanson right on her heels in 19:46
For Dodge-Point, senior Mikaela Bakker was 10th in 20:41, sophomore McKenzie Hall 12th in 20:50 and junior Brittany Rhyner 21st in 21:29 for their 48 total.
Seniors Emily Philipps and Megan Hottmann took 35th and 38th in 22:11 and 22:14 respectively as their other two runners.
"The Girls Dodge Point Cross Country team was not going to let McFarland best them again. They came focused and determined to win at the sectional meet, and that is just what they did, said Dodge-Point coach Denny McGraw.
He added, "They scored an impressive 48 points to win the meet and head to Wisconsin Rapids for the 19th consecutive year. When you compete against such tough competition as you see at this sectional you have to come ready to give it your all."
About his individuals McGraw said, "Hannah Owens led the team with a 2nd place finished, followed closely by Mary Hanson in 3rd place. These two girls gave us such a big lead by having two girls give you such a low score to start out with. They ran smooth and confident throughout the entire race."
"Mikaela Bakker and MacKenzie Hall finished 10th and 12th. They improved so much all season and helped push each other throughout the race. Finishing so high, breaking up the McFarland pack, was a major reason for our victory. Brittany Rhyner placed 21st, followed by Emily Philipps in 35th, and Megan Hottman in 38th. These three girls are vital to the team success. Each race they come with positive attitudes that are contagious. The alternate for state will be Mariah Zoet."
Others who qualified for state as individuals (top 5 not from a qualifying team) besides Edgewood's Davis were: Lodi sophomore McKenzie Krachten 19:51, Lodi senior Meredith Gallagher 20:04, Edgewood senior Ave Grosenheider 20:27 and Monroe sophomore Ciara Kaderly 20:31.
The rest of the team scores were: Edgewood 80, Monroe 115, Lodi 137, Mount Horeb 159, Platteville 191, New Glarus/Monticello 199, Evansville 222, Brodhead/Juda 250, River Valley 269, Richland Cen-ter/Ithaca 348, Prairie du Chien 365, Edgerton 384.
River Valley resuls were: sophomore Tiffany Limmex 34th in 22:09, freshman Lexi Cummings 32nd in 23:32, freshman Kiley Brownlee 55th in 23:37, senior Taylor Bettinger 56h in 23:44, junior Katlin Schwartz 72nd in 25:11, senior Ashley Gillbeck 86th in 28:02, sophomore Conie Kirschner 91st in 30:22.
D-P boys finish 3rd
Dodge-Point senior Tyler Wunnicke missed qualifying for state as an individual by two spots while the boys team missed by one spot finishing third behind McFarland (57) and Edgewood (79) with 104 points.
Edgewood senior Morgan O'Flahrity won in 16:42 with Lodi senior Adam Phillips one second behind him.
Phillips qualified as an individual as did four of the next five runners - Platteville junior Vince Momot 16:47, River Valley sophomore Dustin Hatfield 16:58, Monroe sophomore Nick Baumann 17:08 and Mount Horeb junior John Rollins 17:10.
Following Wunnicke for Dodge-Point as scorers were freshman Juan Navarro 16th in 17:54, sohomore Tanner Cullen 21st in 18:05, sophomore Luke Davis 26th in 18:21 and senior Chapin Orr 32nd in 18:34.
Their other two runners were freshman Jordan May 54th in 19:32 and freshman Isaac Grunow 78th in 20:55.
"The Boys Dodge Point Cross Country team put together their best race of the year and they finished 3rd in a very competitive sectional meet.," McGraw said. "We could not have been more proud of the efforts these fine young men put forth on Saturday. Last year they placed 8th at sectionals, and placing 3rd this year showed how much work they put into the season to improve so much. "
In talking about his boys individuals McGraw pointed out, "Tyler Wunnicke placed 9th for the boys with a tremendous effort. Juan Navarro placed 16th and as a freshmen that is a great finish to his season. Tanner Cullen was 21st and he has improved so much during the entire season that he is someone to be watching for next year. Luke Davis finished 26th and had his best race of the year staying focused and confident. Chapin Orr placed 32nd and was such a wonderful addition to the team coming out his senior year. Jordan May finished 54th and Isaac Grunow was 78th. Both of these freshmen boys worked very hard to be on varsity and had the goal of running on the sectional team."
He said for sectionals the alternates were Brandon Forseth and Nate Eisenzimmer.
McGraw concluded about the boys team saying, "This is a young team. If they put the miles in this summer and come into the season next year with the positive attitude and work ethic they had this year they will be a team to watch."
Besides Hatfield for River Valley placings and times were: sophomore Adam Genthe 39th in 18:58, senior Chris Sullivan 57th in 19:36, senior Deryk Clary 61st in 19:58, sophomore Gavin Wipperfurth 73rd in 20:40, senior Calvin Concha 81st in 21:07, sophomore Michael Orcutt 92nd in 22:09.
The Dodge-Point girls run at 2:10 in the D2 championships.
McGraw gave som information about the meet saying, "We look forward to seeing a big crowd come support our girls at the state meet in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday, November 1st. They will run at 2:10 at the Ridges Golf Course."
More information can be found at www.wiaawi.org for shuttle busses and course location. Remember, no pets are allowed at cross country meets."