November 6, 2015 at 9:37 a.m.
D-P's Brittany Rhyner's high school XC career concludes at state
It probably didn't end with the finish she wanted. She more than likely wanted to be part of a team title effort in Division 2, but that fell just short with a team third place finish at sectionals. But she made it as an individual.
It probably didn't end with the finish she wanted at state either. She took 92nd place with a time of 21:16. But she had friends, family and teammates there cheering her on.
Rhyner was a four-time state cross country participant, something not many can say.
She commented about her career saying, "Throughout my high school career as a cross country runner, I wouldn't be the runner I am today without the great runners I have on my team. They are the ones who have pushed me throughout the years to become the runner I am today.
"That also goes along with the coaches. I can't even express it into words how much I appreciate them! They have never given up on me or any of the other runners by that means.
"However, even though I have made it to state all four of my years, this year was different. I can't say I went to state by myself, because I had most of my team train with me throughout the week and be up there the day of my race cheering me on. It was unbelievable how many supporters were up there for me."
When askecd asbout being on the starting line without any teammates for the first time at state she said, "But yes, going to the starting line in the box with runners I have never met was weird and mentally different, but I knew my team was always going to be right there with me no matter what. I just can not express enough how lucky I am to be able to have the team and coaches that I have."
Dodge-Point coach Denny McGraw talked about his seior saying, "We couldn't be more proud of Brittany. For an individual to run four times at the state meet, you can probably count on one hand for this program. It speaks volumes for her dedication and work ethic. It showed how well liked and what kind of person she is by the crowd that showed up to support her (over 60)."
In the Division 2 race, Amery senior Alicia Monson won going away in 18:28 with Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau freshman Dana Feyen next in 19:00.
Pewaukee won the team title with 112 points to runner-up Shore-wood's 138.
Then came Luxemburg-Casco 138 Wisconsin Lutheran 149, Green Bay Notre Dame 153, Berlin 172, Whitewater 195, McFarland 210, Plymouth 213, Ashland 216, Lodi 228, Freedom 239, Peshtigo 286, West Salem 304, Maple North-western 311, Mauston 380.
In Division 2 boys, River Valley junior Dustin Hatfield finished 13th individually in 16:48.
Platteville seniors Vince Momot and Dan Iselin took 22nd and 27th in 16:57 and 17:04.
Pewaukee won with 85 points to Wisconsin Lutheran's 102.
In Division 3 girls, Oshkosh Lourdes won at 98 to Westby's 105.
Albany was 4th with 160 and Lancaster 8th at 185.
Lancaster freshman Lyndia Murphy was 7th in 19:40.
Boscobel senior Dakota Hoffman took 2nd individually in D3 boys in 16:27 while Darlington senior Jaden Komprood was 4th in 16:46.
Darlington and Boscobel were the top two teams with scores of 49 and 106.
In D1 Eau Claire Memorial senior Aubrey Roberts led her team to 117 points and first place over Arrowhead's 169. She took the individual title in 17:49, nearly a minute in front of runner-up Whitefish Bay junior Cami Drave's 18:28.
Madison La Follette junior Finn Gessner took the D1 individual title in 15:44 over Green Bay Southwest senior Alec Basten's 15:55.
Kimberly topped La Follette 80-99 for the team championship.
