Robinson, Engel, Christopher run well at 2025 State Cross Country Championships in Rapids

Dodgeville-Mineral Point junior Johnny Robinson, who has been running in the #1 spot all season, just missed the podium by two spots, placing 12th  in the WIAA State Boys Cross Country Championships held in Wisconsin Rapids Saturday. His time was 16:22.

Gabe Engel, who has been running   in the #2 spot all season for Dodge-Point, finished 33rd in 16:22. Both runners competed at state last year and both improved immensely. Robinson was 40th in 2024 while Engel was 108th. This is the 3rd year Engel has competed at State and it is Robinson's 2nd. There were 151 runners in the D2 race.

Also both DP runners finished higher then Richland Center/Ithaca freshman Owen Drier, who they hadn’t beaten all season and was SWC Conference Champion.

Shorewood won the division with 72 points to runner-up Kohler’s 72.

From our area, Mauston was 6th at 190 points while Richland Center/Ithaca took 7th with 199.

Rice Lake senior Carter Kucko won the race in 15:45 with Berlin senior Thomas McCarthy second in 15:53.

In the Division 2 Girls race, Dodge-Point junior Payton Christopher placed 85th with a time of 21:04. She is now a two-time State participant, having also raced in Rapids in 2023. She competed with the 2023 4th place Dodge-Point team.

River Valley sophomore Mollie Maes finished 76th for her team with a time of 20:55.

Mount Horeb won the team title with 98 points to McFarland’s 112.

The individual winner was Deerfield-Cambridge’s Emmerson Drobac in 18:00 followed by Lancaster’s Maddie Driscoll in 18:26.

Again there were 151 runners in the race.

Dodge-Point coaches Denny McGraw, Joe Hanson and Heather Langreck gave these. comments following the meet:

“It was a great day for the Wisconsin State Cross Country Meet. It started out rather cold (even a few snow flurries) but the day ended up perfect for the race.

“We are very proud of how hard our three runners worked to do so well. Junior Johnny Robinson placed 12th in the D2 boys’ race. Johnny has worked so hard over the past couple of years to become such an elite runner. He is devoted and dedicated to his running. This was his second state meet, first as an individual.

“Senior Gabe Engel placed 33rd in the D2 boys’ race. Gabe capped off his cc career with a tremendous race. His dedication and many miles over the years has made Gabe a great runner. This was his third state meet, first as an individual.

“Junior Payton Christopher placed 85th in the D2 girls’ race. Payton was the top DPCC girls’ runner all season. She has come to each race all season prepared and ready to go. This meet was no different. This was her second state meet, first as an individual.

“We appreciated all the fan support at the state meet. These three runners ran with heart and determination, and they enjoyed the cheering along the course. It was a great day for DPCC, and we were impressed with the runners’ efforts.

“We want to thank the Dodgeville and Mineral Point School Administrations for all their support this year. A big thank you to the Dodgeville Fire Department and EMS for the escort out of town on Friday. Also, thank you to the Dodge Point Running Club and Dodgeville Booster Club for their support throughout the year.

“We give a big thank you to all the runners, parents, families and fans for the wonderful year.

Also noteworthy is that Darlington girls won the Division 3 race, nosing out Koehler 92-96.