For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Hatchet junior Rachael Reilly concluded her season in the Division 2 race at the 110th annual State Cross Country Championships in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday, Oct. 29.
This was Reilly’s third trip in a row to the State Meet.
Rachael got off to a controlled start, coming through the first 1600 meters at 6:32 in 96th place. In the second mile, she lost pace going through the challenging uphill portion near the 3200 meter mark. She came across the two mile in 14:01, where she had dropped a few places to find herself in 115th place.
In the final 1600 meters of the course, which included the iconic and intimidating speed bump hills, she was able to pass one other state competitor to have her finish in 114th overall in 22 minutes flat.
Despite the setback of not attaining her goals, she learned how to better compete amongst the state’s elite cross-country runners.
The Medford girls, champions of the GNC, placed 7th in the D2 girl’s race. Lakeland, champions of the GNC on the boys side, finished 11th in the D2 race.
“Rachael started the race as planned,” said coach Connor Ahrens. “The pace was good and we were banking on her making up ground in the hillier parts of the race, when others would be running out of energy going out too fast in the early part of the race. Unfortunately, she did not feel well, and this factored not only into the physical aspect of the race but also the mental. It was great to see her make one last move in the final mile to pass one of the other state competitors though.”
“Rachael ended her third season at the WIAA State Meet,” coach Steph Ahrens stated. “This is the biggest goal we always strive for, and she has attained it yet again. No one can take away a State-qualifying season, and Rachael had an excellent season, coming close to her freshman year personal record several times.”
“Rachael had a great, consistent season, finishing as the top girls Hatchet at all but two meets,” said coach Bill Turgeon. “Rachael also finished as a 1st Team All-Conference athlete for the third year in a row and is in the list of Tomahawk girls all-time fastest 5k races. Not very many of our runners have attained this in the past.”
“Not performing on the biggest stage can be frustrating,” stated coach Connor Ahrens. “Rachael took it all in stride and will certainly be able to put it behind her. She is one of the finest Hatchet runners the school has seen and we greatly look forward to what her senior year entails.”