Volume 1, Issue 4
September 30, 2009
Spartans Sweep the Waukesha CC Festival! Girls, Boys take 1st in Varsity and JV (9/19/09) Waukesha South hosted the Waukesha Cross Country Festival at Minooka Park last Saturday. For the first time in years, the Spartan boys and girls teams swept titles in all four races (Varsity and JV) of the same Invitational. Girls Score Thrilling 1-point Victory The stars were all in alignment for the Lady Spartans at the Waukesha Cross Country Festival. In a thrilling head-to-head show down with Beaver Dam, the Spartans gained key positions down the home stretch to secure their first Invitational win of the season, edging the Golden Beavers 42-43. “Every girl counts,” said Coach Naomi Fulton. “One girl could be the difference between first and second.” And it was. West and Beaver Dam are similar teams, having improved significantly from a year ago. They were shuffling positions up front throughout the 2.5 miles, leaving spectators and coaches uncertain of the final scoring until the awards ceremony later. “We had our eyes on them the whole race and barely squeaked out a win. It all comes down to passing one more girl,” said Fulton. The team was paced by sophomore Taylor Uebersetzig who finished 2nd in a PR of 16:38 on a tough course. Freshman Molly Hertz ran a strong last mile, picking off key places and finishing 5th in 17:05. Raina Wedeward (8th, 17:10), Kayla Janto (12th, 17:21), and Cate Virnich (15th, 17:34) completed the scoring for the Spartans, but Jenny Lemminger (16th, 17:36), Candice Wayne (17th, 17:36), and Eden Rogers (20th, 17:42) were close behind. No team in the field came close to putting all 8 Girls Varsity runners in the top 20 like the Spartans, or keeping them all within 68 secPl Gr @ Waukesha Time onds of each other. South
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( Spartan Sweep Continued on page 2)
10
Taylor Uebersetzig
16:38
5
9
Molly Hertz
17:05
8
11
Raina Wedeward
17:10
12
9
Kayla Janto
17:21
15
12
Cate Virnich
17:34
16
12
Jenny Lemminger
17:36
17
10
Candice Wayne
17:36
20
9
Eden Rogers
17:42
Top 5 Average
17:09
1
West Bend West
42
2
Beaver Dam
43
3
Milton
67
4
Pius
106
5
Elk Grove
112
6
Jefferson
163
West Bend West
33
1
JV
1
Spartans Sweep
(Continued from page 1)
The depth of the Lady Spartan squad was on full display in the JV race too, where Melissa Dock (1st, 18:12) and Jonelle Ritger (2nd, 18:17) led the squad to an impressive victory with a low score of 33 points. “Melissa and Jonelle did a great job of pushing each other the entire race out front,” commented Coach Fulton, who was elated with the efforts and results of the JV. They claimed 7 of the top 14 places in the race. “I am so proud of the whole team,” concluded Fulton. “It was such an exciting meet!” Boys Cruise to Victory While the boys race wasn’t nearly the nail-biter that the girls experienced, Spartan victory was in the air again when they toed the turf at Minooka Park. Putting three runners in the Top 10 and all five scorers in the Top 16 will almost always secure a title, and that’s the type of lead-pack race the Spartans put together. Coach Scott Hammer said there was nothing fancy about the race strategy this week. “We just wanted to get through the first mile within :05 of each other and then feed off of one another throughout the remainder of the race,” said Hammer. What Hammer always seems to count on is team depth. What he wasn’t sure if he could count on Saturday was his lead runner Ben Skurek, who spent much of the previous day and night battling the flu at home. Skurek took the battle to the field Saturday morning nonetheless, and promptly posted a time :06 from his PR in leading the Spartan attack. “I didn’t even expect to see Ben make it to the starting line,” said Hammer. “What a gutsy race. He had it in his head that he was going to compete, and that nothing was going to prevent him from that.” Following Skurek (5th, 17:47) were the Eichner brothers, who also had Top 10 finishes. Sam (9th, 18:06) and Noah (10th, 18:08) finished together as did the 4th and 5th scorers Ryne Goralski (15th, 18:20) and Eric Stoll (16th, 18:21). Aaron Serwe, Mason Petrin, and Josh Ulickey rounded out the West attack. The Spartan JV team came close to a perfect score in dominating yet another race. Nic Lache (1st, 18:45) and Miles Petrin (2nd, 18:56) led an 18-point attack. Pat Kelley, Chris Passet and Aaron Awve went 4th, 5th and 6th to close out the competition. While victory is sweet, Coach Hammer is realistic as he looks ahead to when the competition stiffens again. “We’ll need to be more consistent and willing to race through discomfort and fatigue,” said Hammer. “I don’t think any of the guys have figured out how to race outside their comfort zones yet...something everyone needs to figure out on their own. I think we’re getting close, but we’re not there yet.”
Taylor Uebersetzig challenges Beaver Dam up front.
Boys Pl
Gr
@ Waukesha South
Time
5
11
Ben Skurek
17:47
9
12
Sam Eichner
18:06
10
10
Noah Eichner
18:08
15
11
Ryne Goralski
18:20
16
11
Eric Stoll
18:21
23
12
Aaron Serwe
18:35
28
11
Mason Petrin
19:03
29
11
Josh Ulickey
19:12
Top 5 Average
18:08
1
West Bend West
55
2
Germantown
66
3
Beaver Dam
91
4
Bremen
92
5
Milton
119
6
Elk Grove
122
7
Heritage Christian
163
West Bend West
18
1
JV
The Spartan boys string together three more in Top 16.
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Spartans Bulldog Way Through Mid-Season Boys 3rd, Girls 4th at Cedarburg Bulldog Invitational (9/26/09) 33 of 37 Boys Set Personal Records or Season Bests The Spartans Boys team ran to an impressive 3rd place finish, just 7 points from first place Waukesha North (ranked 13th in State) and 4 points behind second place Wauwatosa East at the Cedarburg Bulldog Invitatonal Saturday. All teams have their challenges. It’s how they work through them that makes the difference down the stretch of a season. The Spartan boys team doesn’t have the luxury of numerous lead-pack studs each week, so Coach Scott Hammer continued to work the entire team hard in an effort to reap gains later in the season. Because of this workload, he wouldn’t have been surprised if legs were dull and times were slow at Cedarburg. They weren’t. “I was completely blown away by the way our entire team performed today,” enthused Coach Hammer. “Out of 37 guys that raced today, 33 of them had either personal or season best times. Mark (Assistant Coach Rasmussen) and I were expecting the exact opposite after the week of workouts we had this week.” Coach Hammer changed things up by letting team leader Ben Skurek go out hard with the leaders to see how the rest of the Spartan pack would respond. The tactic resulted in a PR for Skurek (6th, 17:32) and pulled sophomore Noah Eichner to his alltime best (8th, 17:34) as well. “Noah just had a great race, and it puts him 18th on the all-time WBW list of fastest times for a sophomore,” noted Hammer. Ryne Goralski (13th, 17:43), Sam Eichner (15th, 17:52), and Nic Lache (18th, 17:57) rounded out the scoring for the Spartans, who put their Top 5 under 18 minutes for the first time all season. Two runners under that time had been their previous best. Hammer also noted that junior Mason Petrin won the JV race in 18:07, marking the second week in a row that the JV team captured the Individual, as well as the Team, Title for the day.
Boys Pl
Gr
@ Cedarburg
Time
5
11
Ben Skurek
17:32
8
10
Noah Eichner
17:34
13
11
Ryne Goralski
17:43
15
12
Sam Eichner
17:52
18
12
Nic Lache
17:57
22
11
Eric Stoll
18:09
33
12
Aaron Serwe
18:26
Top 5 Average
17:43
1
Waukesha North
52
2
Wauwatosa East
55
3
West Bend West
59
4
West Allis Hale
91
5
Cedarburg
107
6
West Bend East
158
7
New Berlin West
199
8
Greenfield
229
1
JV
West Bend West
After a week of practice that included Decorah Hill repeats, an 8-mile long run, and a 7-mile fartlek...Hammer now expects the physical demands to start getting lighter the rest of the season. But the mental demands will only increase. “I’m happy so many guys had career days today,” he said. “But we got in a dog fight with (Waukesha) North and Wauwatosa East and they simply wanted it more than us the last 800 meters. Two seconds a man could be the difference between finishing 2nd or 5th at Conference in a few weeks.” ( Girls Bulldog Invite continued on page 4)
The Bloody Harrier Award Coach Hammer said the race Josh Ulickey had at Minooka Park will stand out in his memory for years. Hammer’s comments: “Not because it was his best time or anything, but because after the race he took his shoe off. His sock was completely drenched in blood. Upon inspection of his racing shoe, we could see that just after the 1st mile, he stepped on a thorn that was as long and as sharp as a nail. The thorn punctured his shoe and the sharp end was digging into Josh's heel with every step he took. JOSH RACED OVER 2 MILES WITH A THORN THE SIZE OF A NAIL DIGGING INTO HIS FOOT! The determination and toughness it takes to race in that condition is mind boggling to me!”
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The Spartan Harrier
Girls
(Girls Bulldog Invite continued from page 3) Pl
Girls Middle of the Pack
Gr @ Cedarburg
Time
14
9
Molly Hertz
17:02
The Spartan girls team had a few challenges of their own this week. Competing without two of their top varsity runners due to illness and injury, the Lady Spartans put together a solid 4th place finish at the Bulldog Invite.
19
11
Raina Wedeward
17:21
21
12
Cate Virnich
17:24
25
12
Jenny Lemminger
17:27
Cedarburg was impressive at their own meet, overcoming a 1-2 finish by Waukesha North standouts, and beating the 13th ranked team in the state. West’s scoring pack was tight, but pushed too far back to factor in the top team placings. “Cedarburg competed well...they have a strong pack of girls,” said Coach Naomi Fulton.
27
9
Eden Rogers
17:33
28
10
Candice Wayne
17:35
32
11
Melissa Dock
17:56
36
10
Freshman Molly Hertz continued her surge this season, by leading the Spartans for the first time this year taking 14th in 17:02. Veteran Raina Wedeward (19th, 17:21) was followed closely by Cate Virnich (21st, 17:24). Senior Jenny Lemminger (25th, 17:27) and freshman Eden Rogers (27th, 17:33) each stepped up their efforts by setting season-best times when their team needed them most in the scoring five. Candice Wayne’s higher finish (28th, 17:35) than DSHA’s 6th runner (38th) broke a tie and helped secure a 4th place finish in the team standings. Melissa Dock (32nd, 17:56) and Jonelle Ritger (36th, 18:07) ran well in their first varsity appearances of the season. Senior captain Brittany Varano (3rd, 18:23) ran well in the JV race, pacing the team to a 3rd place finish.
Jonelle Ritger
18:07
Top 5 Average
17:21
1
Cedarburg
39
2
(13) Waukesha North
45
3
Wauwatosa East
60
4
West Bend West
5
DSHA
106
6
New Berlin West
171
7
Greenfield
184
3
JV
106
West Bend West
“We Need to work on running strong the entire race...especially the second mile.,” commented Coach Fulton. “The girls practice in specific training groups and should also be able to compete in those groups on race day”. Staying healthy is one Fulton’s main goals now. “We are coming up on the biggest meets of the season,” said Fulton. “Up until now we haven’t done any tapering and have been working hard in practice. It's going to be exciting to start gearing up for Championship season!”
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The Spartan Harrier
An excerpt from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Focus on Cross Country Page: Focus on Growth One of the schools where cross country has gained in popularity is Pewaukee. The program has 39 boys and 30 girls. In 2004, it had 12 boys and 18 girls. "Not too long ago we started a middle school program, which has had a great deal to do with the growth," said coach John Kashian, in his 13th season. "Our kids know that cross country is about guts. Anyone can be good if you have the will to work.” "We teach kids to put themselves in a position to make something happen. If you teach them to win and they don't, often they feel like they have failed. "Another draw is that cross country is a very fair sport. Everyone has the opportunity to run each week at every meet. Nobody sits on the bench."
What Are Those Cross Country People Running Away From? This question was answered in the following manner in a recent running blog: At one point in a cross country race, you will come to a place where all conversation ceases, and there is only the sound of spikes hitting the grass and of runners breathing evenly. The others around you are deep in their own thoughts, alone with their discomfort or despair, with their dreams or determination. This is a time of transcendental solitude, when no external source - no fans lining the course, no coaching, no high-tech shoes - can get you to the finish line. You are locked away in negotation with your abilities and your limitations. It is an elemental moment that is redefined each time your protesting feet hit the ground.
Did You Know? One of the most stunning races in Big Ten history was turned in last spring by a Minnesota teammate of former Spartan Megan Duwell? If you’re ever feeling sorry for yourself in a workout or race, come home and search “Heather Dorniden” on You Tube and watch the Indoor 600 meter final at the Big Tens Try it now. It will be the coolest 2:38 you’ve spent this week. Speaking of Megan Duwell...did you know the former Spartan won the Roy Griac Invite last weekend?
About three-quarters of the way through a race, the fuel in your muscles is exhausted and you are literally running on empty. No one is quite sure what powers you through the last kilometer, but this much is known: you are given an opportunity to reach deep into yourself to achieve personal greatness. By accepting this opportunity, you become exRead the next page traordinary. In the end, it's not your legs that carry you across the finish line. It is your for the details from heart and soul. gophersports.com. In answer to the question: we harriers are running away, but not from problems or chubby thighs or the stresses of the world. We are running from the shadow of the ordinary man, from the purgatory of spiritual indifference, and ultimately we are running out of mere being and into our essence. We run in order to demand something supernal of our bodies and our souls...and to feel them respond!
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Spartan Alum Megan Duwell Victorious in Last Roy Griac Invitational From www.gophersports.com: There were plenty of motivating factors for Minnesota's Megan Duwell in the women's gold race of the Griak Invitational and the senior delivered to give the Gophers just their second individual champion in the 24-year history of the event. Duwell ran 25 seconds faster than her runner-up finish from a year ago and posted a time of 21:01 for the victory. It was her final career Griak race and she wanted to overcome that runner-up finish from last year while joining Rasa Michniovaite in 1998 as the only Gophers to win on the home course. Along with Hassan Mead's men's win for the Gophers, it was only the second time a school swept both the men's and women's titles as Wisconsin accomplished the feat in 1997. "It's a pretty sweet victory, especially being my last year of Griak," she said. "You're sort of sentimental when it's your last big race like Griak. I'd say it's a great way to go." Iowa State placed five runners in the top 10 to dethrone Minnesota as the team champion and capture its first Griak title. Iowa State matched the Gophers' low team score from last year with 31 points, while Minnesota was second with 48 points. Iowa State became the third school to win both men's and women's Griak titles in the same year, joining Providence in 1998 and Wisconsin in 1997. The Cyclones had three runners even with Duwell through the first mile, but the Gopher senior pulled away in the next mile and extended her lead throughout the final four kilometers. "I felt pretty good," Duwell said. "The competition was tough. I could feel them all around me or right behind me pushing me the whole way, so it was a great race for everyone. It was a fast day." Iowa State's Lisa Koll was second in 21:13 and teammate Betsy Saina was third in 21:28. The Cyclones also got top 10 finishes from Alphine Tuliamuk, who was seventh in 21:56, Semhar Tesfaye, who was ninth in 21:58 and Grace Kemmey, who was one second back in placing 10th. Minnesota's Nikki Swenson was eighth overall in 21:57 and the Gophers had three consecutive finishers from 12th to 14th place as Minnesota and Iowa State combined for 10 of the top 14 finishers. The Gophers' Elizabeth Yeter posted a time of 22:02, Amy Laskowske ran 22:04 and freshman Kayla Wagner timed 22:08. Minnesota ran without its No. 2 runner Jamie Cheever, who was ill. Michigan State finished third overall with 80 points and was led by a pair of top-five finishers in Emily MacLoed, who was fourth in 21:41 and Carlie Green, who placed fifth in 21:44. Utah Valley was fourth in the team standings with 135 points and got a sixth place finish from Mary Nothum in 21:53. Duwell was disappointed the Gophers were unable to make it three straight team titles, but hopes for bigger things later in the year when Minnesota goes for three consecutive Big Ten championships. "We didn't taper much," she said. "This meet is so early in the season we're still training pretty hard. We maybe let down a little bit so we could have fresh legs for the race, but we're going to be right back at it again to get good training for the rest of the season."
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