In what could be described as memorable racing conditions, the Whippet Cross Country Teams competed against the entire conference on Thursday, October 15, at UW-Whitewater. With temperatures in the 50s, rain falling throughout the meet, and mud making parts of the course especially challenging, both teams demonstrated tremendous growth from a year ago.
The girls competed first and showed just how far they have come. One season ago, the team had one honorable mention all-conference runner. This year, the Whippets produced one second-team all-conference runner and two honorable mention selections. The course was wet and sloppy in places, but the girls persevered through it all.
Virginia Nelson improved from 19th a year ago to 15th this season, leading the team and earning her first second-team all-conference honor. Melody Smith put together the race of her life when it mattered most, running a lifetime best and placing 18th to earn honorable mention all-conference honors. Although it was her second-fastest time of the season, Ema Aranda put together her best race when factoring in the difficult course conditions. Her 20th-place finish earned her first all-conference honor, also an honorable mention selection.
Peyton Comfort continued her improvement from last season, cutting more than a minute off her time from a year ago to finish 49th. Rounding out the five scoring runners was Madelyn Taylor, who also showed tremendous growth by dropping an impressive 90 seconds from her time on the same course at last year's meet. She placed 56th.
The girls finished sixth overall and third in the Valley Division. In the JV race, Lia Ramirez capped off a good first season by nearly running a lifetime best and placing 18th.
The boys also showed significant improvement from last year, with nearly every runner placing higher, running faster, or accomplishing both. Tyler Carollo replicated his finish from a year ago by placing 14th, earning his second second-team all-conference honor while running even faster in tougher conditions.
Marcus Roe threw caution to the wind and went for it, and his aggressive approach paid dividends. He ran the best race of his young career, finishing 27th and just a few places shy of earning all-conference honors.
Senior Marcus Roselle also stepped up in a big way. Despite being quite sick, he refused to make excuses and donned his uniform one last time for a conference meet. Giving everything he had, Marcus still improved his placing by three spots from a year ago despite not feeling anywhere close to 100%.
The other seniors also had strong efforts. Wyatt Esch finished 57th, just a few places off his placing from last year. Angel Kilar cut 51 seconds off his time and improved 14 places from a year ago. Preston Miller, new to the team this season, was the Whippets' sixth runner on the day, placing 60th. Jameson Rothwell rounded out the varsity lineup in 64th, improving his time by more than a minute from last season.
The boys improved by one place in both the overall and division standings, finishing ninth overall and fourth in the Valley Division. They were just one point shy of eighth place, showing how close the team competition was.
In the JV race, Hunter Runnoe blitzed his way to a new lifetime best of 22:50, placing 26th. Carson Miller finished 38th in 24:10, William Nelson placed 48th in 25:25, and Ian Agen finished 61st in 27:56. There was no JV team score.
Full Results: https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/276053/info
Next up is the WIAA Sectional Meet, hosted by Whitewater High School at UW-Whitewater on Friday, October 23. The girls' race will begin at 4:00 p.m., followed by the boys' race at 4:45 p.m. The top two teams in each race, along with the top five individuals who are not members of qualifying teams, will earn a trip to the State Meet.
Pictures courtesy of several CC parents.