Cross-Country: Gillett teams win division at Shawano Invitational

SHAWANO — The Gillett High School girls and boys cross-country teams each turned in first-place finishes in their division at a loaded Shawano Hawk Invitational on Saturday.

Competing in Division 3, the girls finished with a team score of 27, while the boys tallied a 35.

Oconto Falls also competed at the meet, with the girls team placing sixth with a score of 172 and the boys coming in eighth with a mark of 181. Both teams were a part of Division 2.

All the varsity girls and boys runners ran at the same time to earn an overall place and team score before being broken down into one of three divisions, where another overall place and team score was given.

Sophomore Ryann Wagner led the Gillett girls by placing 13th overall with a time of 20 minutes 51.1 seconds. Wagner was the top finisher among the D3 girls.

“I didn’t run the time that I exactly wanted at this race,” said Wagner. “Something that went well for me was having a lot of competition and having people push me the whole race. The course was a little wet, which made it a little harder to run, but I’m still happy that my team did so well.”

Freshman Kasay Hansen turned in a fifth-place finish in the division with a time of 21:42.7.

Freshmen Megan Wagner (22:06.5) and Cheyenne Krueger (22:16.2) and sophomore Angela Mosconi (22:48.1) also finished inside the top 10 of the division, placing seventh, eighth and 10th, respectively.

A total of 41 girls competed at the Division 3 level.

“Our team getting first in our division at this race can really help with our confidence at the conference and sectional races,” said Ryann Wagner. “I think if we can all stay healthy and keep working hard at practice, we have a good chance at making it to state as a team.”

Freshman Alex Peterson paced the Gillett boys, taking 14th overall with a time of 17:24.6. That time was good enough for second in the division.

“Having that experience of racing against teams that we will see in our sectional is great,” said Peterson. “It really gives us a sense of who our competition is. I had a great time running with my teammates, and hope to continue growing as a runner.”

Junior Derek Hanson finished third in the division with a mark of 17:39.5.

“To put it frankly, today really wasn’t my best race. I didn’t feel as strong or fresh as I usually do, but that’s okay. Everybody has those off days, and the most important thing is that you bounce right back and not let them get to you mentally,” said Hanson. “I think I handled the cards I was dealt today well, despite not feeling the best.”

Freshman Evan Peterson also finished in the top 10, earning sixth with a time of 18:11.3. Sophomore Connor Hanson (18:55.5) and junior Riley Engebretsen (19:09.9) capped the team score by taking 13th and 15th, respectively.

A total of 45 boys competed in Division 3.

Senior Autumn Canavera was the top finisher for the girls team, taking 17th overall and 11th in the division with a time of 21:00.1.

Freshman Carleigh Kaczmarek (22:57.1) turned in a 30th-place finish for the Panthers. Junior Autumn Magnin (24:10.5) came in 42nd, while sophomore Jaden Reed (24:14.3) took 45th. Ericka Havemeier (25:35.4) finished 54th to round out the team score.

“I thought (Saturday) went really well. There were a lot of good teams, which pushed us a little more,” said Canavera. “Also, the weather was really nice, it was a great day for a race.”

A total of 67 girls ran in Division 2, with Winneconne taking first with a score of 43.

On the boys side of things, sophomore Joe Adams was the Panthers top finisher, taking 30th overall and 13th in the division with a time of 17:55.1.

Senior Brendan Konitzer (18:51) took 32nd, while sophomore Isaac Raddatz (19:25.9) was 41st. Junior Braden Uelmen (20:17.1) finished 52nd and freshman Landon Budz (22:24) was 58th to cap the team score off.

“We are continuing to improve as as team,” said Oconto Falls coach Lon Ludemann. “We had a good week of practice and everyone is working hard. We still have a long way to go, and we are working for excellent performances in the month of October.”

A total of 65 boys ran in Division 2. New London won the division title with a score of 31.

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