The Whippet Cross Country Teams traveled to Janesville to compete in the 86th annual Midwest Invitational hosted by Janesville Craig at Blackhawk Golf Course on Saturday, September 28. In this exceptional invite, 51 teams toed the starting line for some very large race fields and elite-level competition. This meet has roughly 3,000 athletes compete in 7 races (including MS) and is the oldest inter-state meet in the country. On the girls' side, there were thirteen teams ranked across all divisions and from out-of-state competition. On the boys' side, this meet included fourteen ranked teams from the state. This competition tends to bring out the best in everyone, and Whitewater didn't disappoint. Several athletes were able to walk away with lifetime bests, season bests, or running one of the fastest times of the year. This was all despite some pretty warm weather conditions and running in races with over 500 runners which doesn't allow for much movement within the race itself.
On the varsity girls' side, Athena Soto led the team with Carley Boudreau not far behind. Despite having an issue with her shoe, Mady Hefty toughed out her race and was the team's 3rd runner. Other runners who had a particularly strong day were Ema Aranda who was able to run her lifetime best today and Sami Van Daele not far off her personal best. Lucy Troxel rounded out the varsity squad with her lifetime best as well. It was a good showing by the girls' team which placed 35th out of 51 teams. In the White race, Delaney Hammack was able to carve out her lifetime best with a strong start and riding the wave to a time of 25:39.
Girls’ Varsity Race - 35th with 970 points
Athena Soto 167th 22:13
Carley Boudreau 180th 22:23
Mady Hefty 192nd 22:42
Nola Coburn 224th 23;20
Ema Aranda 245th 24:02
Sami Van Daele 254th 24:30
Lucy Troxel 266th 24:55
Girls’ White Race - No team score
Delaney Hammack 51st 25:39
Silvia Harris 162nd 28:04
Payton Brautigam 283rd 31:28
On the boys' side, Jack Hefty led the team with a top 10 finish. This super impressive finish also led to a new lifetime best of 15:46. Miles Nickelsburg is putting things together at the right time and was able to dip under 18 minutes for the first time this season. Andrew O'Toole raced to a new lifetime best along with Onyx Thompson and Isaac Straight. Overall, it was a really good day for the varsity boys’ team. In the Blue race, Marcus Roselle ran his second straight lifetime best of the three from our team that entered this race. Finally, leading the Whippets in the White race was Isaiah Mendez who has been battling an ankle injury and was the team's top finisher despite some very warm temperatures for their race.
Boys’ Varsity Race - 32nd with 843 points
Jack Hefty 10th 15:46
Miles Nicklesburg 176th 17:49
Luc Pomazak 209th 18:17
Andrew O'Toole 210th 18:19
Onyx Thompson 245th 18:44
Isaac Straight 289th 19:23
Boys’ Blue Race - No Team Score
Quinton O'Toole 348th 20:50
Wyatt Esch 367th 21:12
Marcus Roselle 377th 21:37
Boys’ White Race - No team score
Isaiah Mendez 135th 22:10
Angel Kilar 400th 27:17
Sam Nickelsburg 402nd 27:28
Alex Clarksen 425 29:31
Next up for the team will be the October 4 Nightfall Classic which will be held in Lake Mills at the Lake Mills Golf Club. This race will be entirely contested under the lights in an atmosphere unlike any other meet we attend. The D1/D2 Girls race is set to go off at 8:25 and the Boys D1/D2 race is slated to begin at 9:00. For meet info visit: https://www.adesports.com/lake-mills-nightfall-608
Photo credits Angel Van Daele and Chad Carstens