The Dodge-Point Cross Country teams got all glittered up this past Thursday night to race under the lights in Boscobel in the Greg Bell Memorial Night Meet. This meet has been a favorite for the team since they began running at it three years ago. Though Dodge-Point does not participate in the tent decorating contest, the runners love going all out with face paint, glow sticks, and glitter. Coaches Denny McGraw and Joe Hanson enjoy seeing the kids have fun, but they reminded their runners that they were there to run a hard race, and they did just that. The boys team ran spectacular races, earning them their first first-place finish of the season over Fennimore (currently ranked the #1 D3 team in the state) by just two points. The girls were also able to secure the victory by 44 points over Lancaster soon-to-be #1 D3 team in the state, Lancaster.
Going one-two on the girls side were Ellie and Annie Robinson, finishing a mere 3 seconds apart. This is the closest these two have run together yet this season. Running close together proved to be a trend among the girls team as Grace Wersal and Payton Christopher crossed the line with only 3 seconds between them, securing them 11th and 13th place respectively. Rounding out the scoring varsity, Regan Schuette came in 18 seconds later with a 17th place finish. Lilly Houtakker and Abbey Ludwig, two nearly brand-new varsity runners, came in 33rd and 35th. This was Houtakker’s second varsity race; it was Ludwig’s first of the season. Brienna Wasley and Addison Christopher, two veteran runners, came in together in 46th and 47th, less than a second apart. Next came Ava Hying (62), Sierra Davenport (75), Ava McDonald (78), Faye Schuette (94), Chloe Eastman (96), Emma Giddings (99), Elodie Regnier (102), Breken Blackford-Hesselberg (111), Madi Bakken (112), Brooke Paynter (115), Jadyn Swinehart (154), Jerrie Jo Johnson (164), Hayden Bakken (167), Katie Kramer (178), Brynnlin Cartwright (179), Madelyn McWilliams (181), Mallory Spurley (183), Reese Meudt (184), Olivia Wilson (186), and Alyson Melssen (198). This was the first race of the season for three newcomers: Elodie Regnier, Jerrie Jo Johnson, and Madelyn McWilliams. The team was very proud of all of them for crossing the finish line for the first time.
On the boy’s side, the Dodge-Point team won by just 2 points. Layne Aurit ran like he was on fire and was just 1 second away from breaking 16 minutes. Aurit won the overall race with teammate Cody Yoder coming in 5th with exactly 40 seconds after Aurit. Gabe Engel and Ethan Hook ran together to push each other like they have all season came in 10th and 11th. Jesse Yoder crossed the finish line next in 20th place, rounding out the scoring athletes. 6th and 7th runners, Parker Owens and Alex LaMere came in 26th and 34th. Rhet Spurley (67), Johnny Robinson (71). LaMere, Spurley, and Robinson all wanting the 7th varsity spot trade off every week. Mac Busser (94), Carson Schroeder (143), Elliot Hesseling (153), and William Brainbridge (165).
Next up for the team is the Janesville invitational on Saturday, September 23rd.
