TMS runners close out season with invitational, awards ceremony

STEVENS POINT – The Tomahawk Middle School cross country team closed out the 2024 season by lining up at the Wisconsin Valley Conference Junior High Invitational at Standing Rocks County Park just outside of Stevens Point.

On a challenging course, the young team did an amazing job on a beautiful day against some of the biggest teams in the area.

The girls would leave the line first, and for the last time as a middle school runner, Charlee Lund would be the girls’ medalist, placing 4th overall with a fantastic time of 13:12. The girls pack that would follow would include Lexi Palmer, who has just come back from an injury to have her best race of the year, placing 74^th, as well as Leigha Vassar (84th), Victoria Towle (105th), Alyse Arndt (117th), Elaine Huber (120th) and Lucy Nelson, earning her best time of her career and wrapping up the scoring in 142nd with a time of 17:38 over the two-mile course.

Other Hatchet ladies finishing up the season at this race were led by another career best time of Allie Reiff in 18:11 placing 172nd, Lily Meurer (172nd), Nevaeh Mathis (177th), Nora Bubolz (178th), Alaina Stogbauer (179th), Gabby Ulrich (184th) and Kortney Busterud (190th).

The boys were ready to attack the course and end the season on a positive note and certainly left their best effort on the finish line. Connor Zorn was one of three Hatchets who had a very busy race schedule over the last week, but showed no signs of weakness, as he would be the boys’ sole medalist, placing 48th overall in a time of 13:09. His teammates did a great job moving up the pack as a group and would have the next five runners cross the line within 25 seconds of each other. This group was led by Hector Luna Perez (95th), Kamron Ristau (98th), Max Micke (99th), Max Childers (103rd) and Levi Cerkas (104th). Tripp Tabbert would make a big move late to get under 16 minutes in 123rd overall, followed by Chastin Dziura (135th), Vallyn Ott (149th), Finn Childers (159th), George Van Asten (160th), Zach Scott (173rd), Eli Scott (180th) and Colton Welke placing 183rd.

Post-season awards ceremony

The following awards were presented during a pizza party in which the athletes and coaches had a lot of fun sharing memories of the last season and talking about what we would like to do and goals for next year.

The girls’ major award winners include Charlee Lund, Runner of the Year; Alyse Arndt, Rookie of the Year; Victoria Towle and Lexi Palmer, Captains of the Year, Leigha Vassar, Coaches Award; and Kortney Busterud, Most Improved.

The boys’ major award winners include Connor Zorn, Runner of the Year; Hector Luna Perez, Rookie of the Year; Levi Cerkas and Kamron Ristau, Captains of the Year, George Van Asten, Coaches Award; and Tripp Tabbert, Most Improved.

Congrats to our young Hatchet runners on a great season,” the coaching staff said. “We started this season with essentially a brand new team, where most if not all of our top scoring runners moved onto the next level to join coach Connor Ahrens's high school program. In addition to the above mentioned awards, we express our gratitude to coaches, parents and supporters of our program, in addition to all the athletes for continuing to grow the program and increase our perfect attendance numbers, which allows us to see that these young athletes want to be there, which is very encouraging in such a demanding sport.”