RICHLAND CENTER — Senior Vince Momot defended his Southwest Wisconsin Conference boys cross country title and led the Platteville boys to a third straight conference crown at the SWC Championships last Thursday in Richland Center.
Momot won his second straight individual SWC title with a time of 16:18.9. He was one of eight Hillmen to earn all-conference honors on the day.
Junior Dan Iselin finished third overall at 16:48.1 to join Momot on the seven-person first-team. Momot is a four-time All-SWC performer.
Senior Blake Julius ran one of his best races of the season to finish eighth at 17:53.7. Freshman Jace Serres placed 12th at 18:00.2 to earn second-team All-SWC honors along with Julius.
Seniors Tom Lambert (19th, 18:26.7) and Jackson Gormley (25th, 18:46.9) and freshman Calvin Wernimont (29th, 18:55.8) rounded out Platteville’s conference championship varsity team.
The Hillmen held off a strong challenge from Dodgeville/Mineral Point to win the boys’ title by seven points, 43–50.
“I’m so proud of our kids,” said Platteville head coach Rob Serres. “They ran like Hillmen, and each one of the kids put their heart into their races. It was truly a team championship. They all had their own battles along with the team battle.
“This was one of our goals all season long, and it’s nice to have all of your hard work pay off.”
The Platteville girls, led by junior Brelynn Updike and sophomore Morgan Wehnke, ran well and contended for second place, but ultimately came up one point short.
Lancaster won the girls’ team title with 41 points behind a sensational performance from individual champion freshman Lydia Murphy. Murphy, who won the girls’ title with a time of 19:54.5.
Brittany Rhyner finished second (20:31.3) as Dodge/Point edged out the Hillmen for second-place, 54–55.
Updike finished third overall with a time of 21:04.0 to earn first-team All-SWC honors. Wehnke also earned a spot on the first team with a seventh-place finish (21:38.8).
Freshman Julia Kasper (11th, 21:57.3) and senior Maggie Durni (14th, 22:04.0) earned second-team honors.
Platteville will return to action Friday afternoon at the WIAA Division 2 Monroe Sectional. The girls' race will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Monroe's Twining Park. The boys' race will begin at 5:15.
SWC Conferecne Meet
(from Thursday, Oct. 15 @ Richland Center)
(Girls, 5,000 meters)
Team scores: 1.Lancaster 41, 2.Dodgeville/Mineral Point 54, 3.Platteville 55, 4.Prairie du Chien 105, 5.River Valley 128, 6.Richland Center/Ithaca 144.
Top individuals: 1.Lydia Murphy (Lancaster) 19:54.5, 2.Brittany Rhyner (Dodge/Point) 20:31.3, 3.Brelynn Updike (Platteville) 21:04.0, 4.Mackenzie Hall (Dodge/Point) 21:09.2, 5.Maddie Hampton (Lancaster) 21:27.5.
Platteville (55): 3.Brelynn Updike 21:04.0, 7.Morgan Wehnke 21:38.8, 11.Julia Kasper 21:57.3, 14.Maggie Durni 22:04.0, 20.Grace Hammermeister 22:30.6, 21.Sami Brookens 22:34.6, 22.Cori Kettler 22:35.9.
(Boys, 5,000 meters)
Team scores: 1.Platteville 43, 4.Dodgeville/Mineral Point 50, 3.Lancaster 74, 4.Prairie du Chien 103, 5.River Valley 109, 6.Richland Center/Ithaca 130.
Top individuals: 1.Vince Momot (Platteville) 16:18.9, 2.Dustin Hatfield (River ValleY) 16:37.6, 3.Dan Iselin (Platteville) 16:48.1, 4.Juan Navarro 17:09.6, 5.Nick Kurtz (PdC) 17:14.5.
Platteville (43): 1.Vince Momot 16:18.9, 3.Dan Iselin 16:48.1, 8.Blake Julius 17:53.7, 12.Jace Serres 18:00.2, 19.Tom Lambert 18:26.7, 25.Jackson Gormley 18:46.9, 29.Calvin Wernimont 18:55.8.
