Many local runners will be taking the course in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday for one more run this season.
DIVISION 3 GIRLS
Gillett Senior Carleigh Kaczmarek is a three-time State Qualifier and looks to top her best ever finish of 40th place which she had last year. Ava Lorenz of Shiocton is making her first ever State run and Freshman Rory Salveson of Wittenberg-Birnamwood looks to set the bar for the rest of her running career.
Bonduel’s team advanced to State for the third time in the last four years. They have finished 12th in two of those years and look to top that this year. They are led by lone Senior Kendra Troxel who will be making her third run at State and finished 71st last year. Junior Ashlyn Kurey was 50th last year and led the team of those returning. Five of the Bears runners have State experience and Freshman Mariah Wondra and Cierra Schnell are making their first run.
DIVISION 3 BOYS
Gillett is making their second team appearance in three years. Seniors Evan Peterson and Alex Peterson have seven combined State runs and look for their best finish ever. Evan is a four time qualifier and 68th last year. Alex Peterson was 10th last year and missed state his Sophomore year after finishing 38th is Freshman year. Gillett missed State as a team last year.
Iola-Scandinavia’s Charlie Vater was 17th last year and has his eyes set on the podium. He will be running with his teammate Jacob Lashua. Bonduel’s Junior Ben O’Brien is making his first State run.
DIVISION 2 GIRLS
Freedom is at State for the 4th straight year. The Irish finished 3rd last year and in 2019. Senior Macy Verhasselt is making her third run at State after missing last year. Her best finish was her Sophomore year with a 49th place result. Sophomore Claire Helmila leads the team this year. She was 13th at State last year. Six of the runners have State experience.
Shawano is back for the second straight year after finishing second to Freedom in the Sectional. Last year, the Hawks finished 13th, but are in position to better that. Freshman Bailey Hendricks led the team last week at Sectionals and join three girls with State Experience. Lilly Guenther had the best finish at State last year with 44th place. Grace Chelberg was 56th. Freshman Maci Beyer is also expected to finish in the top five for Shawano’s team.
Xavier has been to State as a team three times in the last four years and was 7th last year. They are led by Junior Lillie Fouts with two runs at State and a 14th place finish her Freshman year.
Joey Perry of Winneconne is running for the fourth time at State. Little Chute has a pair of Sophomores that ran at State last year, Ashley Wilson and Sami Miller.
DIVISION 2 BOYS
There are a handful of individual qualifiers who are making their first runs at State. Seniors are Cody Ruetz of Rhinelander, Andrew Nelson of Peshtigo and Logan Higgins of Antigo. Max Voss of Amherst is a Junior and Ben Adams of Oconto Falls.
Senior Riley Huss of Little Chute was 9th the last two seasons and teammate Will Bakken is back for his Senior year after missing last year.
Winneconne has been 12th as a team the last two seasons and look to better that.
Shawano was 8th last year and return five runners with State experience. Aidan Preston was 61st last year and is the lone Senior. Ethan Onesti was 22nd last year and Will Chelberg, who led the team in Sectionals, finishing second over all, was 93rd and looks to improve on that. Their are two other Chelberg brothers with Andon Chelberg and Connor Chelberg both running at State last year. The three boys are part of the quadruplets that includes Grace from the girls team.
Notre Dame has qualified three of the last four years and finished with a silver in 2021 and 2019. Senior Isaac Nowak leads the team with an 11th place finish last year.
DIVISION 1 GIRLS
West De Pere’s Kate Schmoll returns to State after finishing 7th last year. She looks to finish in the top six this year.
Angela Opolka of Pulaski makes her first run at State in her Senior year.
Appleton North and Kaukauna has qualified three of the last four years as a team. Kaukauna won State two years ago and finished 6th last year. Junior Sydney Fauske has a 22nd place finish and 24th place finish at State already.
De Pere, Neenah and Oshkosh West are all three as a team.
DIVISION 1 BOYS
Kaukauna’s Aaron Schimke is making his third run at State. Last year he was 27th to close out his Junior season. Bay Port’s Sam Lieuwen also advanced after the team missed qualifying this year.
Neenah is back for the third straight year. Jack Dorner was 71st and 80th his first two runs.
Kimberly’s Logan Salzmann was 13th last year and West De Pere’s Noah Jahnke was 9th as the best area returner.
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