Young Oconto Falls cross-country teams ready to run

OCONTO FALLS — Area cross-country teams opened practice on Aug. 19 in preparation for the fall season.

Oconto Falls heads into the season looking to replace several seniors, while Gillett, Suring and the Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas Academy co-op return most of their runners from last year.

Oconto Falls

With a number of young runners on the roster, Oconto Falls coach Lon Ludemann is approaching the season differently than in recent years.

“We are very inexperienced,” said Ludemann of the boys and girls teams. “Over 50% of the team are in high school cross-country for the first time. There will be a big learning curve when it comes to competing and practice expectations. Our goal is to improve one meet at a time.”

The boys team has just three experienced runners back, senior Brendan Konitzer and sophomores Joe Adams and Isaac Raddatz. Adams was the team’s top finisher at sectionals last fall.

The girls have more experience returning, as four of last year’s sectional runners are back.

Leading the way will be senior Autumn Canavera, who was a second team all-conference runner in the North Eastern Conference last season.

“The goal that I have for my team is just to motivate and push each other to get better throughout the season. If we all have the same drive to be the best runners we can be, we will get stronger together,” said Canavera. “My personal goal this season is to PR (personal record) and ultimately go to state. In order to do that, I know I have to come to practice every day motivated and ready to try my hardest, along with the rest of my team. I know that if we all are driven to be the best we can be we will have a great season.”

Seniors Morgan Van Haren and Aly Fabry and sophomore Aspen Canavera also ran at sectionals.

Seniors Haley Bell and Ericka Havemeier are two possible experienced runners that could fill out the girls team, while coach Ludemann says junior Autumn Magnin, sophomore Alexis Euclide and freshman Carleigh Kaczmarek are other options.

Oconto Falls will run in the Division 2 Tomahawk Sectional.

Gillett

Gillett is primed for a big season with a strong core of experienced runners back and several young runners ready to provide contributions.

Coach Bill De Jung set lofty goals for the girls and boys teams. Along with coming out on top of the Marinette & Oconto Conference, De Jung thinks both teams could qualify for the state meet.

Junior Derek Hanson will pace the boys team, while junior Sylvia Hansen leads the girls. Both are coming off individual conference titles and trips to state.

“I know many younger runners look up to older runners such as myself, and I plan to use this to our advantage by continuously encouraging and motivating our younger runners,” said Derek Hanson. “I think our runners are very disciplined and will continue to work hard to achieve our goals, however, a positive influence can go a long way.”

“I definitely believe that our team can accomplish getting both titles if everyone works as hard as they can and leaves everything they have on the course,” said Sylvia Hansen. “As a strong team this year, everyone has to do their part in order for us to accomplish our big goals.”

The boys also return junior Riley Engebretsen and sophomore Connor Hanson, each second team all-conference runners a year ago.

The girls team also gets a pair of second team runners back in sophomores Alaina Herzog and Amber Brehmer. Fellow sophomore Angela Mosconi is also back.

The girls team got another boost with the addition of sophomore Ryann Wagner, who ran for Suring last fall. Wagner was a first-team runner that ended her year at state.

Sophomore Antonio Lizzaraga and freshmen Alex Peterson and Evan Peterson will be among the runners trying to fill out the boys team. Sophomore Macy Franti and freshmen Laney DeBauch, Kasey Hansen, Megan Wagner and Cheyenne Krueger are runners that could also make impacts for the girls squad.

Suring

Heading into its second year of varsity competition, Suring will be under the supervision of a new coach. Amanda Seibert replaces Monica Wagner.

“As a former cross-country competitor, I look forward to sharing my love for the sport and competition,” said Seibert. “This sport requires a lot of personal motivation, but the payoffs are high.”

“Athletes have the opportunity to experience success every day. For new runners, it may be not having to walk during a workout. For veterans, it may be improving techniques to tackle hills. When individuals go out and challenge themselves and each other to do their best every day, it forms a team bond that is unique only to this sport. I look forward to helping athletes reach those personal goals, and become a team.”

Suring just has a girls team at this point, and senior Ava Hill leads the way.

Sophomore Maddy Vandevelde and freshmen Olivia Noack and Hailey Thomson will fill out the team.

Lena/STAA

The Lena/STAA co-op heads into the season knowing what to expect, as all of last year’s letter-winners are back for coach Chelsea Sherman.

Junior Kennedy Marquardt will lead the girls after landing on the all-conference first team last fall.

Seniors Alexis Misco and Ciara Urbanek and sophomores Megan Shallow and Samara VanArk are also back for the girls.

Sophomores Max Beyer and Cody Dellise return for the boys side. Dellise was a second team runner a season ago.

“My goal for this season is to just do my best,” said Dellise. “If I do as good or better than last year, then awesome, if not, then oh well. I’d love to run under 19:00 (minutes) this year.”

Gillett, Suring and Lena/STAA will all run in the Division 3 Westfield Sectional.

sports@newmedia-wi.com