Pulaski’s Opolka qualifies for state cross-country meet

Pulaski High School cross-country runner Angela Opolka kept her senior season alive by placing 11th at the Division 1 Manitowoc Lincoln Sectional on Oct. 22 at Meadow Links Golf Course in Manitowoc to qualify for the state meet.

Opolka completed the course in 20 minutes, 23.9 seconds.

“I was so excited and nervous for this race. I think everyone on my team was more confident in me making it to state than I was,” said Opolka. “I think I had the best start of any race of my career at this meet. I felt confident and determined and just worked toward sticking towards the front and going fast.

“The race was definitely a tough one, especially the last mile. There were some pretty good-sized hills and the last bit of the race was difficult to make it through, but I pushed myself as hard as I could.”

Opolka will now get the opportunity to end her high school career on the state’s biggest stage.

She and the rest of the Division 1 girls field are scheduled to run at 1:20 p.m. Oct. 29 at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.

“Qualifying for state is amazing. I am going to miss cross-country so much, and it is the perfect conclusion to my career,” said Opolka.

“My coaches and team gathered around me and told me they were so proud of me, but I really could not have done it without each and every one of them. Every person on the team was so excited for me. I am just so happy I actually made it.”

The senior has goals set for state, but earning a certain place or time isn’t among them.

“Next week, the goal is to have fun and run as hard as I can,” said Opolka. “I just want to see how good I can place. The hard part is already over; to me, the accomplishment is just making it to state. I still want to run my best race, but it’s really about enjoying the experience.”

Behind Opolka, the Pulaski girls placed fifth at the sectional with a score of 120.

Olivia Stedl just missed out on an individual spot at state after taking 14th in 20:30.5. Emerson Fabry placed 17th in 20:39.5.

Grace Goodness (22:18.1) and Rachael Allen (22:23.6) capped the team score, finishing 38th and 40th, respectively. McKenna Lowery also ran for the Red Raiders, coming in 62nd in 24:05.

The Pulaski boys finished ninth as a team with a score of 254.

Dayne Nowak led the boys team with a 25th-place finish in 17:49.6.

Peyton Yaw claimed 51st in 18:58.1, while Griffin Nowak was 55th in 19:14.7. Daniel Augustine (19:26.9) and Arden Gillen (19:27.1) capped the team score and placed 61st and 62nd, respectively.

Dayne Groth (19:47.8) and Thomas Murphy (20:14.3) also ran for the Red Raiders.

Full results from the sectional can be found at https://www.wiaawi.org/Sports/Fall/Girls-Cross-Country/Tournament.

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