BOSCOBEL - The Bulldogs boys cross country team is heading back to state competition, while junior Mackenzie Kauffman will run in the girls’ race as an individual.
Dakota Kauffman placed first in the boys sectional race held at Darlington last Saturday, Oct. 24, with a running time of 16:32.0. Mackenzie Kauffman placed second in the girls race with a time of 19:49.9.
The boys’ team placed second overall, earning their trip to state. Kauffman was followed by Seth Laxton in sixth place with a time of 17:34.7, Jordon Molzof in ninth with 17:38.2, Noah Toye in 23rd with 18:38.0, and Dakota Kull in 28th with 18:55.3
The girls’ team placed third overall, just missing a trip to state. Kauffman was followed by Abbie Manning in 15th place with 22:04.4, Rachel Davis in 18th with 22:18.5, Faith Glasbrenner in 19th with 22:22.1, and Leah Wacker in 27th with 22:50.7.
“The boys and girls cross country teams came ready to compete on Saturday, said coach Skyler Reynolds. “If you watched the races and didn't know the results, you would leave there feeling good that you know they left everything they had on the course. That’s all that we asked for is that we come and give it all.
“It was such an emotional day, the girls ran an awesome race and we came up just short. Then the boys also had an awesome race and they qualified. We talked all year long about competing hard and worrying about ourselves. I think our runners did that today.”
Competing team members at state include Dakota Kauffman, Seth Laxton, Jordan Molzof, Noah Toye, Kota Kull, Jack Latham, and Angel Narvaez.
“I thought both the boys and girls executed their race plans perfectly, and the boys are racing with more and more confidence each week,” said coach Grant Reynolds. “The girls knew it was going to be close having four ranked teams in the sectional. They did everything we asked them to do and ran a great race, but in the end, things just didn't fall our way.”
Dakota Kaufman was the runner-up in last year’s boys individual competition, fifth in 2013, and 5th in 2012 with the team placing 2nd. He will be facing senior Kevin Koski of Chequamegon again, the returning champion from last year.
The 103rd running of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Boys Cross Country Championships and the 43rd Annual Girls Cross Country Championships will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. Ticket price for the meet is $6.
The boys and girls will run a 5,000-meter course. It’s the second year the girls will be racing at that distance. The following is a listing of the times for each race:
Girls: Division 3 – Noon
Boys: Division 3 - 2 p.m.
