Over the last two weeks the Merrill Bluejays Cross Country team competed at the Wisconsin Valley Conference Meet and the WIAA Subsectional meet, of which senior Elizabeth Schmidt earned a bid for a state championship run.
The WVC meet was held at Nine Mile Recreational Park in Wausau on Tuesday, Oct. 13. For the boys, David Golish came in first for Merrill with a time of 19:44. Behind him was Levi Black (19:54), Callen Hoeppner (20:14), Ian Schuetze (21:09), Elliott Hanson (21;50) Kaden Schwant (22:03), Kayoda Raddatz (22:31), and Caleb Norton (22:47). For the girls, Schmidt came in 2nd overall with a time of 19:19. Behind her Olivia Stevenson (23:32), Madi Crossman (24:37), Olivia Pierce (24:53), Lily Grefe (25:26), Maddy Vandergeest (25:27), Annie Becker (26:12), and Emma Marlowe (26:23).
Subsectionals were held at Medford on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The weather wasn’t ideal for the ‘Jays with a layer of snow covering the ground.
“As a team, we didn’t score high for team points, but despite that and the snow, individually our athletes did well!” comments head coach Alyssa Swan.
For the girls, Schmidt took first overall with a time of 19:34. Behind her for Merrill was Olivia Stevenson (24:05), Madi Crossman (24:39), Olivia Pierce (24:45), Annie Becker (26:14), Emma Marlowe (27:58), and Liv Cordova (28:16) For the boys team David Golish leading the pack with a time of (19:18), Levi Black (20:06), Callen Hoeppner (20:18), Kyle Stellingworth (20:41), Ian Schuetze (21:54), Kayoda Raddatz (21:56), and Kaden Schwant (22:59).
“We had one athlete qualify to compete at the Sectionals race on Oct. 24,” Swan adds.
“Elizabeth Schmidt ran at Lake Wissota Golf Course in Chippewa Falls competing against the other schools in our sectional. Liz ran a great race keeping up with the top girls from D.C Everest, Medford, and Marshfield. Around mile-two, Liz decided to push it into gear and broke away from the pack. Liz got first place overall with a school record breaking 18:43 and earned a spot to compete at State on Saturday, October 31st! We can’t wait!”