NORTHLAND PINES – Last week, the Tomahawk High School cross country team took part in the Northland Pines invite and hosted the annual Hatchet Invitational.
Northland Pines
The week started off with the Hatchets competing in the Northland Pines invite. Eleven Northwoods teams were in attendance.
Coach Connor Ahrens explained that the race was effectively used as a paced workout, with some freedom for the Tomahawk runners to attack the hills in the second mile as they saw fit while attempting to finish with whatever energy remained.
“Many Tomahawk runners did not race due to various reasons, but the Hatchets still had a decent showing,” Ahrens said.
Senior Elise Gibeault led the girls’ team with a 4th place overall finish in a time of 21:27. Following her were teammates Ellie Micke (13th-22:52), Abbie Rosenmeier (19th-23:46), Aliyah Nelson (27th-24:51), Norah Mann (32nd-25:34), Lucy Nelson (34th-25:46), Joa Reilly (36th-26:04) and Alaina Stogbauer (54th-28:39).
Girls’ varsity team scores: Rhinelander-44, Three Lakes/Phelps-86, Tomahawk-87, Merrill-99, Northland Pines-111, Antigo-114, Medford-125, Florence/Niagara-DNS, Crandon-DNS, Hurley-DNS, Wabeno Area/Laona-DNS.
The boys saw junior Dawson Jones lead the way with a 28th place finish in a time of 19:29. Trailing him were teammates Luke Morrison (32nd-19:56), Ryan Montag (33rd-19:57), Will Boneck (43rd-20:34), Bodie Olsen (47th-21:13), Max Childers (52nd-21:32), Jonathan Crossman (54th-21:33), Hector Luna-Perez (57th-22:06), Orin Erickson (61st-22:16), Michael Lucas (67th-23:09), Chastin Dziura (75th-23:47), Tripp Tabbert (78th-23:52), Liam Fossum (87th-25:19) and Eli Scott (88th-25:41).
Boys’ varsity team scores: Rhinelander-48, Wabeno Area/Laona-80, Florence/Niagara-100, Medford-120, Northland Pines-144, Crandon-146, Hurley-159, Tomahawk-176, Antigo-187, Merrill-260, Three Lakes/Phelps-DNS.
“I believe the student-athletes who were able to do our workout at the Northland Pines meet got a quality workout that added to their training,” Ahrens said. “It’s hard to simulate racing hills, so having the opportunity to race on the hilly golf course near NPHS was a great addition to our training.”
Hatchet Invitational
On Saturday, Oct. 10, the Tomahawk runners hosted the 50th annual Hatchet Invitational, with a total of eleven teams.
“The meet was once again hosted on school grounds, though the start and finish locations were changed,” Ahrens stated. “The course takes athletes around the baseball field and then into the school forest before hitting the first mile near School Rd. The athletes then exit the school forest and do a loop on school grounds by the softball and kickball fields before returning to the school forest for the final loop. The two-mile mark is near Hiawatha Trail, just before runners begin their second loop of the school forest. After exiting the school forest for a second time, the athletes finish just beyond the pole vault area.”
Ahrens noted that the weather was surprisingly warm for this time of the year, and the races were moved up a half hour because of this.
“The girls race was first,” Ahrens said. “The Hatchets JV squad ran well, but did not have enough runners to score, but took fourth place for varsity. The boys followed with a 1st place JV victory but an 8th place varsity finish.”
In the first race of the day, the girls’ varsity managed to get one medalist. The fastest girl was 4th place finisher Elise Gibeault in a blazing time of 20:14. The other varsity finishers were Abbie Rosenmeier (20th-22:46), Ellie Micke (28th-23:05), Victoria Towle (37th-24:07), Aliyah Nelson (39th-24:19) and Norah Mann (40th-24:20).
Girls’ varsity team scores: Lakeland-54, Rhinelander-85, Prentice/Rib Lake-91, Tomahawk-129, Chequamegon-143, Northland Pines-146, Merrill-156, Mosinee-164, Medford-169, Antigo-170, Crandon-DNS.
Leading the junior varsity squad was junior Joa Reilly with a 2nd place finish in 24:34. Other junior varsity finishers were Lucy Nelson (3rd-25:12), Alaina Stogbauer (10th-27:31) and Savannah Reinke (19th-31:36).
Girls’ junior varsity team scores: Mosinee-15, Prentice/Rib Lake-DNS, Merrill-DNS, Rhinelander-DNS, Tomahawk-DNS.
The boys’ varsity team would find themselves in an extremely fast race with junior Jordyn Carew grinding his way to a 24th place finish in a time of 18:33. Other varsity finishers were Dawson Jones (35th-19:25), Luke Morrison (41st-19:35), Ryan Montag (45th-19:46), Will Boneck (54th-20:40) and Joe Zastrow (57th-21:11).
Boys’ varsity team scores: Lakeland-40, Rhinelander-57, Prentice/Rib Lake-69, Mosinee-153, Medford-167, Chequamegon-167, Northland Pines-177, Tomahawk-195, Crandon-200, Antigo-231, Merrill-DNS.
Having three medalists basically ensured the junior varsity boys would win, Ahrens noted. Setting the tone for the junior varsity was senior Drew Voermans, taking 2nd place in a time of 19:40. Other junior varsity finishers were: Karson Hanse (7th-21:10), Sam Ford (10th-21:18), Max Childers (11th-21:18), Hector Luna-Perez (13th-21:24), Jonathan Crossman (16th-21:34), Orin Erickson (20th-22:00), Levi Cerkas (25th-22:30), Michael Lucas (26th-22:56), Chastin Dziura (27th-23:04), Tripp Tabbert (30th-23:12), Isaac Urmann (32nd-23:19), Liam Fossum (34th-24:19), Vallyn Ott (40th-26:07) and Eli Scott (41st-26:45).
Boys’ junior varsity team scores: Tomahawk-19, Mosinee-42, Antigo-DNS, Chequamegon-DNS, Medford-DNS, Crandon-DNS, Rhinelander-DNS, Prentice/Rib Lake-DNS, Lakeland-DNS, Merrill-DNS.
“Despite being down two of our leading runners for the home invite, our teams put forth a solid showing,” said coach Jerett Flynn. “Always a tough decision, we now have a better idea of who’s racing on the varsity squad for conference. We look forward to seeing who will step up their game to make the sectional team.”
“Many other coaches enjoyed our newish course on the school grounds, and it was good to see most of our student-athletes embrace the challenge of defending our home course,” said coach Steph Ahrens. “We will look to see who is brimming with positivity and determination at the conference meet next week.”
After the awards ceremony, Hatchet cross country parents and seniors were recognized for their service and commitment to the program.
“Without their help, the Tomahawk cross country program would not be what it is today,” Ahrens stated “Once again, the coaching staff thanks all past and present cross country parents and alumni who have made their mark on Hatchet cross country. We also would like to thank the School District of Tomahawk maintenance staff for helping get our home middle and high school cross country courses ready for our races.”
This week’s action
On Saturday, Oct. 17, the Hatchet harriers will host the Great Northern Conference. Racing will begin as soon as 11 a.m.
Athletes of the Week
Alaina Stogbauer – “A freshman beginning her Hatchet cross country journey is Alaina Stogbauer. She began the season with a 31-minute 5k and dropped time at every race since until Three Lakes, where she earned a 27-minute 5k. She has been quietly working hard and has once again achieved a 27-minute 5k, with a personal record set at our home invitational (27:31). With potentially one race left for the season, this freshman is almost a sure bet to push the pace and continue her awesome time descent. She has learned a lot about herself and the sport of distance running. The coaching staff looks forward to many more years of her continuing to develop as she finds her place within the Hatchet ranks.”
Drew Voermans – “Senior Drew Voermans has had a bumpy final season. Missing out on racing several meets and being injured for a few others has been far from ideal, though this has not deterred Drew in the slightest. The coaching staff has known Drew as a true competitor; when it’s game day, he puts forth his best effort, whether his body is ready or not. His legs have now caught up, and at the home invitational, he ran a season best of 19:40 to reclaim a varsity spot. This is exactly the shake-up the boys’ team has needed, and Drew will be an excellent example of what can happen when you simply want it more than the guy next to you. Often overlooked, Drew has been a good team leader. He has stepped up on many occasions when his fellow seniors have been hesitant. Now that the postseason is here, the boys will need his leadership and all-out race effort if they hope to compete.”
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