Pictured above (L-R) Kyah Barnhart, Sara Palmer, Emmalee Rockwell, Madison Lehman, Lauren McCalla, Brooklyn Hoff, and Bella Drake | photo by Karl Palmer
The Menomonie girls cross country team won the WIAA Division 1 Sectional held in Menomonie this past Saturday earning them a trip to the State Championship meet this coming Saturday, October 28th in Wisconsin Rapids. This will be the Mustangs third trip to state in four years.
The Mustangs were led by sophomore Lauren McCalla (19:08.2) and senior Brooklyn Hoff (19:17.1) who finished third and fourth respectively. Senior Madison Lehman placed 14th (20:38.0), freshman Bella Drake finished 23rd (21:04.1) and senior Emmalee Rockwell finished 28th (21:16.7) to round out the Mustang's scoring runners. Sophomores Kyah Barnhart (21:26.4) and Sara Palmer (21:31.9) finished 32nd and 35th respectively.
Twelve teams competed at the sectional. Menomonie scored 72 points to take first, followed by Wausau West (81), Eau Claire Memorial (90), Hudson (131), New Richmond (150). Other schools competing in the sectional were Marshfield, Chippewa Falls, River Falls, Superior, Wausau East, DC Everest, and Eau Claire North. The top two teams advance to state along with the top five individual runners who are not on the state qualifying teams.
The girls placed second at the BRC conference meet on October 14th finishing behind Eau Claire Memorial by four points. Since 2014 the Menomonie girls cross country team has finished either first or second in the BRC. In addition, they have won the sportsmanship award 6 years in a row.
Senior Brooklyn Hoff has become this first girl in MHS history to make it to state each of her four years - as part of a team her freshman, sophomore and senior years and individually last year.
The girls are coached by head coach Craig Olson and assistant coach Greg Anderson.
There will be a send off for the girls on Saturday morning. They will be leaving the high school at 10:45 Saturday morning and will be escorted out of town by the Menomonie Fire Department. Family, friends and well-wishers can meet at Dairy State Bank on Stout Road to cheer them on as they leave for Wisconsin Rapids.
The girls will race at 3:05pm at Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. If you plan to attend, tickets must be purchased online HERE.
WQOW coverage of sectionals - interview with the girls and Coach Olson.
