ATHENS – The Tomahawk Middle School cross country teams returned to Erbach Park in Athens on Thursday, Oct. 1, to compete alongside several strong central Wisconsin programs that they have competed against at the Jr. Smiley, but this time in a shorter course format.
The Hatchets battled through the rolling 3,000‑meter course and delivered one of their most complete team efforts of the season, despite what their overall team place may indicate, highlighted by tight pack running, multiple season-best performances and several athletes earning “Milestones of the Meet” honors.
The boys continued to find themselves in the mix with a tightly packed scoring group.
Aries Messerschmidt led the Hatchets with a 12:08 finish (27th), followed closely by Max Micke in 12:23 (31st) and Evan Zorn in 12:27 (32nd). Theo Heier added another strong performance in 12:34 (34th), while Aydin Michael and Jesse Wallschlaeger crossed together in 13:18 (48th/49th). Finn Childers rounded out the scoring pack in 13:55 (59th).
Additional Hatchets finishing strong included Eli Ierulli (14:26, 70th), Ethan Riebe (14:26, 71st), Case Montag (14:53, 77th), Gabe Nelson (14:53, 78th), Cylus Hilgendorf (16:04, 84th), William Wendorf (16:10, 85th), Gabriel Lobermeier (16:30, 89th), AJ Blaeser (16:35, 90th), Thomas Totch (17:50, 96th), Micah Cerkas (18:16, 97th) and Leo Fishbeck (19:07, 100th).
The girls’ race mirrored the boys’ in competitiveness and pack strength, with some frontrunners making a bid to run up front in a position they normally wouldn’t risk, but it paid off, producing one of their best team outings of the season.
Jayda DeVillers led the Hatchets with a podium‑level finish, running 11:33 for 4th place. Maci Bandura followed with a strong 12:56 (20th), while Allie Reiff continued her consistent season with 13:35 (31st). Stephanie VanAsten (14:06, 38th), Fjola Erickson (14:09, 40th), and Emma Childers (14:12, 42nd) kept the scoring pack tight. Allie Lemke hammered out the top seven in 14:55 (57th).
Additional Hatchet finishers included Ahna Arndt (15:43, 66th), Emree Quesinberry (15:43, 67th), Aspen Pankow (16:04, 72nd), Iona Oates (16:18, 77th), Adeline Voermans (16:40, 81st), Allie Maki (16:51, 83rd), Dayze Rounds (16:53, 84th), Nevaeh Mathis (17:58, 88th), Kaylyn Ponsler (19:14, 95th), Finley Bubolz (19:16, 96th), Quinn Cordova (19:17, 97th) and Delilah Rounds (20:28, 99th).
Congratulations to our runners earning Milestones of the Meet honors: Gabe Nelson, Micah Cerkas, Case Montag, Allie Reiff, Adeline Voermans, Emma Childers and Kaylyn Ponsler. Another unique group this week, with people trying new strategies on the course and pushing themselves harder at the beginning than they are accustomed to and thriving, teammates encouraging others to keep pushing themselves even if they may be hurting themselves. Other runners were clocking 3-plus-minute improvements or bouncing back from a race where they didn't even make the start line due to an issue that popped up on warm-ups. Most of these athletes have been super consistent all season and encountered something that just didn't go right and came out on the other side absolutely on fire.
As we go into the last meet of the season, we are quite hopeful that some of those who haven't yet crossed a milestone off their list will find a little something extra on our home course in front of family and friends.
This week’s action
The final race of the middle school cross country season will take place on Thursday Oct. 8, with races kicking off at 4:15 p.m., starting and finishing just behind Hatchet Field.
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