ATHENS – Earlier this month, the Tomahawk High School cross country team competed in Athens and took part in THS’ Homecoming festivities.
Athens
The Tomahawk cross country team competed at Athens this on Thursday, Oct. 1, where the girls took 6th and the boys took 8th.
Coach Conner Ahrens noted that this was a highly competitive meet with some of the best Division III schools in the state.
The Lady Hatchets had one runner in the top 10 finishers – senior Elise Gibeault.
“The student-athletes who have ran in the off-season and have done a lot of little things throughout the season to keep themselves healthy reaped the reward of racing at Athens,” said coach Steph Ahrens. “The flat course with excellent weather conditions yielded our deserving student–athletes with tons of season bests and personal records.”
Being down lots of runners didn’t slow down the boys team, as nearly all had seasonal best performances, according to Ahrens. Leading the boys was sophomore Connor Zorn with a time of 18:16 for 27th place.
The rest of the boys finishers were Dawson Jones (33rd – 18:30), Ryan Montag (45th – 19:29), Will Boneck (61st – 20:29), Bodie Olsen (63rd – 20:46), Jonathan Crossman (73rd – 21:29), Orin Erickson (75th – 21:33), Hector Luna–Perez (77th – 21:49), Chastin Dziura (91st – 23:59), Liam Fossum (95th – 24:27), Eli Scott (97th – 24:31) and Vallyn Ott (101st – 26:08).
Boys’ team scores: Marathon 72, Prentice/Rib Lake 74, Cadott 82, Assumption 106, Stratford 107, Rhinelander 114, Chequamegon 188, Tomahawk 208, Antigo 222, Abbotsford DNS, Athens DNS, Spencer DNS.
Ahrens said the girls’ team was also missing some teammates within their ranks, but competed well. Once again, senior Elise Gibeault proved to be a medalist with an 8th place finish in 21:05.
The rest of the Hatchet girls were Ellie Micke (25th – 22:40), Abbie Rosenmeier (34th – 23:30), Aliyah Nelson (38th – 23:53), Norah Mann (40th – 24:10), Joa Reilly (47th – 25:09), Lucy Nelson (48th – 25:11), and Alaina Stogbauer (64th – 28:33).
Girls’ team scores: Prentice/Rib Lake 69, Stratford 73, Rhinelander 80, Athens 103, Marathon 106, Tomahawk 126, Chequamegon 146, Antigo 191, Cadott 202, Abbotsford DNS, Assumption DNS, Spencer DNS, Thorp DNS.
“Despite missing many runners due to injury, the Hatchets who raced at Athens did extremely well amongst some excellent teams,” said coach Jerett Flynn.
Homecoming
Friday, Oct. 2 was the 29th Annual Hatchet Cross Country Homecoming Football Relay.
Per tradition, the game ball was presented to the cross country captains near the end of the pep assembly by the football captains and Coach Reilly. The team then ran the ball relay-style (a distance of approximately 26 miles) from the direction of Medford (the Homecoming Hatchet opponent), traveling mostly east on State Hwy. 86 back to the school complex, arriving just before game time.
When the team arrived at the football field, they took the traditional pre-game lap around the track. The cross country captains then presented the game ball to the captains of the football team in time for the coin toss.
“The annual homecoming football relay was again a meaningful and fun experience for our student-athletes,” said coach Connor Ahrens. “It brings together the football team, cross country team, school and community in a unique celebration of teamwork and school spirit that is an extremely memorable way to help kick off the homecoming game. I’m glad it was another smooth journey for our team starting at Timm’s Hill.”
This week’s action
The Hatchet harriers were slated to travel to Northland Pines on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, Tomahawk will defend their home course on school grounds, with the first race beginning at 10 a.m.
Athletes of the Week
Norah Mann – “No stranger to frustrating setbacks, senior Norah Mann has continued to find ways to help Tomahawk cross country forward. Even though Norah has yet to reach her previous best 5k time, she has managed to get back into racing and most recently produced a season best at Athens. To the coaching staff, her perseverance is way more impactful than any race time. Her teammates know what she has been battling, and her mere presence in a race completes the girls’ team and helps encourage her teammates to put forth their best efforts. What’s more is Norah sets the tone for the girls team; when she is charged, focused and ready to go, so is everyone else. Norah is a longtime veteran of some of our team’s biggest races, and her leadership is crucial if the girls are to fight for a spot at the sectional meet.”
Will Boneck – “Historically a junior varsity competitor, senior Will Boneck has evolved into a varsity runner for the boys’ team. His consistency has been his calling card. Consistent miles, consistent attendance, consistent times, consistent leadership – that has all led to a consistent leading presence within the team. He is now benefiting from this often-overlooked trait, as he just ran a new personal record 5k of 20:29 at the Athens Invite. As Will makes his determined push for a permanent varsity spot, he makes everyone better. In his final year, he has served as an excellent role model and a leader that will be sorely missed. Will is the kind of student-athlete every program should strive to have or develop.”
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