Shawano cross-country teams anticipating big season

SHAWANO — High school cross-country teams are ready to begin the fall season after opening practice Aug. 19.

Shawano heads into the year with lofty goals as a strong core of runners is back. Clintonville is under the direction of a new coach, while Wolf River Lutheran will try to find success despite low roster numbers.

Shawano

Coming off a season in which the girls team won its first Bay Conference title and the boys claimed second, expectations are high for Shawano, which is coached by Steve Stomberg.

The girls must replace a trio of seniors from last year, but they do return four all-conference runners. The boys squad has all of its varsity runners back, including five all-conference honorees.

Leading the way for the girls are junior Lydia Beyer and sophomore Grace Beyer, first-team runners from last year.

“With being last year’s conference champs, our girls cross-country team knows we have a target on our back,” said Lydia Beyer. “Our goal is to defend our Bay Conference title, and all of us are looking forward to doing that.”

Sophomore Odessa Arce also returns for the girls. She was the team’s top finisher at sectionals and a second-team all-conference runner.

Junior Claire Guenther was the other all-conference runner, making the honorable mention team.

Junior Graciella Onesti also was an important part of the Hawks’ success in 2018. Coach Stomberg believes junior Rachel Warax will help round out this year’s team.

Leading the boys into action is junior Ethan Chelberg and senior Demetrius Kaquatosh, first-team runners last fall.

Senior Karsten Anderson made the second team, while juniors Carter Schmidt and Joe Mente made the honorable mention list.

“The goal is for sure to win conference, and we have a great chance at that,” Anderson said. “Depending on how well everyone improves and if everyone stays healthy, we have a good shot at going to state.”

Senior Johnny Dillenburg and junior Rory Johnson were also varsity runners for the Hawks last year. Junior Wyatt Brandt and freshman Alec White are runners that will help fill out the team.

Shawano will compete in the Division 2 Tomahawk sectional.

Clintonville

Clintonville has several experienced runners back this fall, which will help new coach Mark Polzin transition into the job. He takes over for Stacy Hohn.

Leading the team into the season is sophomore Jesse Wilson, who represented the team at state last fall. He was the first-place finisher at sectionals.

“My individual goals for the season are to further improve my time and reach the state competition again this year,” said Wilson. “To reach those goals, I am planning to push myself at practice and push myself even harder in the meets.”

Senior Kyle Tennie, junior Austin Tosdale and sophomore Josh Wilson round out a strong core for the boys team.

Sophomore Jasmine Wilson will lead the girls team. She was the team’s top finisher at sectionals, placing 18th.

Clintonville competes in the North Eastern Conference and will also compete in the Tomahawk sectional.

Wolf River Lutheran

Wolf River Lutheran heads into the season with just three boys on the roster. There is a chance that girls will join the team, but at this point, there is none.

“We have a small and young team this year, so we will be working on basics and trying to improve as the season progresses,” said coach Stephen Lehrke. “Our goal is to gain experience, grow together and enjoy some individual successes along the way.”

Sophomores Ben Behnke, Leo Schultz and Blaze Korth make up the boys team. Schultz ran at sectionals last year.

Wolf River Lutheran is not affiliated with a conference. The team will run in the Division 3 Westfield sectional.

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