TOMAHAWK – The Tomahawk High School cross country team hosted the 49th annual Hatchet Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 11.
The meet was once again hosted on school grounds.
Coach Connor Ahrens explained that the course takes athletes around the baseball field and into the school forest before hitting the first mile on School Rd. The runners then exit the school forest and do a loop on school grounds by the softball field before returning to the school forest for the final loop. The two-mile mark is on the Hiawatha Trail, as runners begin their second loop of the school forest. After exiting the school forest for a second time, the runners finish just beyond the baseball field’s left field fence.
Ahrens noted that the weather was cool and sunny, making for ideal racing conditions.
The boys’ race was first, resulting in the Hatchets winning the junior varsity race and taking 4th for varsity.
The girls followed with a first-place varsity finish, but didn’t have enough runners to place in the junior varsity race.
In the first race of the day, the boys’ varsity managed to get one medalist. The fastest boy was 9th-place finisher Caiden Reichelt in a blazing time of 17:55, attaining a rare feat by negative splitting the race.
The other varsity finishers were Connor Zorn (17th, 18:42), Jeremiah Johnson (22nd, 18:49), Dawson Jones (30th, 19:14), Karson Hanse (41st, 20:11), Luke Morrison (42nd, 20:17) and Joe Zastrow (45th, 20:32).
Boys’ varsity team scores: Rhinelander 50, Lakeland 56, Mosinee 97, Tomahawk 119, Medford 136, Crandon 143, Merrill 166, Northland Pines 175, Antigo 177.
“Having eight medalists and no other junior varsity team having five runners guaranteed the junior varsity boys would win,” Ahrens said.
Setting the tone for the junior varsity was sophomore Jordy Carew, who took 1st overall in a time of 19:19.
Other junior varsity finishers were Beau Stromberg (2nd, 19:21), Ryan Montag (3rd, 19:37), Drew Voermans (5th, 19:53), Bodie Olsen (9th, 21:02), Sam Ford (10th, 21:19), Cayden Shepler (12th, 21:49), Orin Erickson (14th, 22:10), Milan Stel (16th, 22:45), Masen Towle (17th, 23:06), Levi Cerkas (20th, 24:10), Tripp Tabbert (22nd, 26:25) and Jonathan Crossman (24th, 29:32).
Boys' junior varsity team scores: Tomahawk 15, Medford DNS, Rhinelander DNS, Merrill DNS, Crandon DNS, Lakeland DNS, Mosinee DNS.
Nearly all the varsity girls were medalists. Leading the pack was freshman Charlee Lund in a time of 20:20 for 4th place overall.
Other varsity finishers were Abbie Rosenmeier (7th, 21:08), Lydia Shaney (9th, 21:33), Faith Derleth (10th, 21:54), Norah Mann (20th, 23:01) and Victoria Towle (26th, 24:23).
Girls’ varsity team scores: Tomahawk 38, Medford 41, Rhinelander 75, Merrill 105, Antigo 125, Mosinee 127, Crandon DNS, and Lakeland DNS.
Leading the junior varsity squad was senior Abi Micke with a 2nd-place finish in 24:46.
Other junior varsity finishers were Summer Gaedtke (12th, 28:36), Savannah Reinke (13th, 29:03) and Jennie Frederickson (14th, 30:22).
Girls’ junior varsity team scores: Merrill 15, Rhinelander DNS, Medford DNS, Tomahawk DNS.
“Both our teams took some mighty steps forward at our home invite,” Ahrens stated. “The girls’ team ran without two varsity teammates, yet ran better times than last year, and beat conference rival Medford. The boys’ team attained lots of personal records and had their first sub-18-minute runner.”
“It was a great day for a race, and we had plenty of Tomahawk support at the home invite,” said coach Jerett Flynn. “It’s always great to race at home, especially when you have so many cheering for the blue and gold.”
After the awards ceremony, Hatchet cross country parents and seniors were recognized for their service and commitment to the program.
“Without their help, the Tomahawk cross country program would not be what it is today,” Ahrens stated. “Once again, the coaching staff thanks all past and present cross country parents and alumni who have made their mark on Hatchet cross country. We also would like to thank the School District of Tomahawk Maintenance staff for helping get our home middle and high school cross country courses ready for our races.”
This week’s action
The Tomahawk harriers’ next race is Saturday, Oct. 18, at Northwood Golf Course in Rhinelander for the Great Northern Conference Meet.
Athletes of the Week
Abbie Rosenmeier – “Junior Abbie Rosenmeier has been one of our most consistent performers on the girls’ team. She has managed to keep herself healthy and has done everything that has been asked of her. True to form, she has turned up the dial coming into the last few weeks of the season and has once again found faster strides. Just recently at the home invitational, she earned another medal this season by finishing as the second Lady Hatchet and took 7th overall. The best part about this race is that this was our team’s final higher volume week, and she managed to post a new personal record time of 21:08 in the 5k. The coaches love how reliable she is and how she brings a positive vibe to the girls’ team that is always needed to keep spirits high.”
Cayden Shepler – “Another fantastic leader on the team coming off of a great race is senior Cayden Shepler. Cayden struggled to find his previous season’s race times earlier this season, but this didn’t deter the veteran, as he continued to help do his part in leading the team. Dropping nearly three minutes at the home invitational though, Cayden attained a new personal record in the 5k by running 21:49. As mentioned previously, Cayden’s greatest influence has been on his younger teammates helping them understand what it takes to be a Hatchet cross country runner, showing them when to have fun and when to work hard. Cayden’s smile, positive attitude and leadership will be sorely missed next season.”
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