They were there three years ago as freshmen, and they’ll be back as seniors.
Gillett’s Bradyn Wendorff and Bonduel’s Mariah Wondra are heading back to the WIAA State Cross Country Championships after placing third and first in their respective races at a Division 3 sectional Oct. 25 in Rosholt.
While Wendorff is the only Gillett runner advancing to the meet — set for Nov. 1 at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids — Wondra will run with a teammate. Bonduel freshman Lillian Burrack qualified after placing third in the girls race.
It will be the fourth trip to state for Wendorff and Wondra.
Wendorff is aiming to improve on his seventh-place finish in the Division 3 race last year. He also placed 27th in 2023 as a sophomore and 40th in 2022 as a freshman.
Wondra said her goal is to place in the top 10 after finishing 25th last year, 40th as a sophomore and 55th as a freshman.
She turned in a time of 18:34, more than a minute ahead of runner-up Evelyn Bablitch of Rosholt.
Burrack advanced to state with a time of 20:04.2.
The Bonduel girls team just missed out on qualifying as a team, as they placed third overall with 72 points. The top two teams and top five individuals not on a qualifying team advance to state.
Stratford and Three Lakes/Phelps advanced with team totals of 64 and 70 points, respectively, on the girls side, followed by Bonduel (72), Rosholt (118), Lena/STAA (121), Gillett (135), Marathon (163), Edgar (171), Oconto (182) and Coleman (255).
Wondra and Burrack weren’t the only area runners to turn in a top-10 finish in the girls race, as Gillett’s Amanda Pate and Hope Soper placed seventh in 20:12.4 and eighth in 20:26, respectively.
Bonduel’s other runners included Peyten Bierhals (24th, 21:53), Cierra Schnell (30th, 22:18), Kember Frome (31st, 22:25.4) and Katie O’Brien (72nd, 25:58.3).
Other area runners included Gillett’s Sophie Limberg (46th, 23:50), Halle Wendorff (47th, 23:54.6), Sharlese Stage (66th, 25.22.3) and Maggie Kaczmarek (78th, 27:07.2); Lena/STAA’s Alisa Finger (14th, 21:18.8), Aspynn Anderson (18th, 21:35.4), Adrena Rabas (27th, 22:02.8), Alexis Maloney (39th, 23:10) and Carla Caballero Morante (57th, 24:36.8); Suring’s Ginger Gerndt (28th, 22:07.8), Allyson Seibert (37th, 22:48.7) and Natalie Seibert (40th, 23:15.7): and Marion/Tigerton’s Brooklynn Ahlers (22nd, 21:50.3) and Kennedy Zuniga (34th, 22:30.4).
Marathon and Peshtigo advanced as a team on the boys side with 48 and 76 points, respectively, followed by Bonduel (87), Stratford (103), Laona/Wabeno (143), Florence/Niagara (164), Edgar (165), Pacelli (173), Crandon (213), Suring (286), Oconto (323), Northland Lutheran (353), Pembine/Goodman (367) and Gresham/Bowler (381).
Wendorff finished his race in 16:09.5. Gillett did not have enough runners to field a full team. Other runners for the Tigers included Nash Stage (51st, 19:26.5) and Jeremiah Lennon (87th, 22:07).
A fourth trip to state was a major goal this season for Wendorff.
“It’s always a goal to go to state,” he said. “I’m just hoping for top 10 again this year.”
Wendorff was able to hang with the leaders for most of the race.
“That was the plan,” he said. “I was going out with those guys and staying right behind them. I like to go out fast and make sure I get in a good spot for the finish.”
“He ran by far his season best,” Gillett coach Bill DeJung said. “That wasn’t necessarily a goal, but it was probably going to happen because of the competition.”
DeJung said it’s always a big deal for a senior runner to finish their season with a trip to state.
“The goal is to qualify as a team,” he said. “If you can’t, you hope that your individuals do as well as they can.”
Griffin Uelmen led Bonduel by placing 11th in 17:12. Other places and times for the Bears included Gage Anderson (19th, 17:32.4), Oliver Chitwood (21st, 17:44.9), Garrett Anderson (23rd, 17:47.4), Joah Dworniczak (34th, 18:02.5), Jack Weier (45th, 18:52.4) and Carter Johnson (49th, 19:16.1).
Other area runners included Suring’s Riley Thomson (56th, 19:36.8), Charles Richard (57th, 19:37.5), Blake DeGrave (64th, 19:58.3), Garrett School (75th, 20:50.6), Liam Matelski (84th, 21:45.2) and Skylar Bristol (102nd, 25:31.1); Marion/Tigerton’s Payton Prickette (47th, 18:55.4), Tristan Herro (63rd, 19:43.7) and Brayden Zietlow (81st, 21:17.9); Lena/STAA’s Dash Comins (78th, 21:01.1); Gresham/Bowler’s Mason Martin (71st, 20:39.7), Breckin Gleason (82nd, 21:29.5), Derec Guthrie (90th, 22:20.2), Blaze Ejnik (98th, 23:34.6) and Adam Liethen (106th, 27:53.5); and Wolf River Lutheran’s Mark Buchholz (107th, 30:36.3).
“It’s very heartbreaking that I won’t be able to run with my team at state this year, but I still have a teammate to run with me,” Wondra said. “Lillie’s just a freshman, so she’s going to be one to watch the next couple of years.”
Wondra and Wendorff said it’s an advantage for runners who return to state because they’re familiar with the course.
“It’s such a big meet, and if you’ve never seen it before, it’s so unfamiliar,” Wondra said. “Even having one person will make a big difference knowing you have someone right next to you that you’re familiar with.”
The course at The Ridges Golf Course is mentally tough, according to Wondra.
“It’s going to be a crazy environment,” she said. “Just be prepared for that, don’t get overwhelmed and run your race. I was telling my team today that sectionals is a big, crazy meet. It’s important to get out fast and not get too behind. Don’t go out too hard and burn yourself.”
“The course is kind of hilly and difficult,” Wendorff said, of The Ridges. “(Experience) gives you the knowledge of where to kick in and go.”
Wondra returned to Rosholt nine days after winning her second straight Central Wisconsin Conference championship on the same course.
“This was a big meet,” she said. “We’re here a lot, and this is my favorite course. It’s always exciting to be in Rosholt, even if it’s a small meet or a sectional. It felt good today, and I hope it feels good next weekend, too.”
