Elk Mound girls sixth, boys tenth at sectional; Fasbender returns to state

BOYCEVILLE — Elizabeth Fasbender will make her second appearance at the WIAA State Cross Country meet this Saturday after placing eighth individually at the sectional meet in Boyceville Oct. 24. On a cool and windy day, Fasbender led the Mounders to a sixth place finish out of 12 complete teams and 97 individuals with a time of 20:55.The boys were led by Hayden Kohls with a 40th place in 19:34 as the Mounders were tenth in a field of 17 teams and 122 individuals.

Following Fasbender was Alana Plaszcz in 14th place in 21:29, Cierra Lind in 44th at 23:56, Hanna Hollister was 47th in 23:56, Meredith Hainstock was 50th at 24:05 and Hannah Cedarblade came in for 64th at 24:49. Brook Plazcz did not finish the race. Dunn-St. Croix Conference champion Kassye Todd of Elmwood-Plum City won the race in a blazing time of 19:58 while Colfax won the team title.

“Elizabeth ran a very good race against some tough competition,” coach Jeremiah Fredrickson said. “We are all very excited for her and we hope she will be a little less nervous at state this year. Our other girls ran some very good times and finished about where we figured they would.”

The second Mounder boy to cross the finish line was Nate Lind for 46th at 19:44 and next in line was Grant Kjellberg in 67th at 20:25 and Bowdrie Noller in 69th at 20:26. Nate Kruger, who led the Mounders in several races this year, struggled and was 70th in 20:28 and Jonas Kohls ended up in 93rd in 21:10. Dan Lau of Immanuel Lutheran was first in 16:59 while McDonell Central won the team title.

“We had some personal best times with the boys but I think a few of them felt they could have run a little better,” Fredrickson said. “Our seniors were good leaders and helped the younger kids improve throughout the season.  We will have most of our team back next year and we will look forward to that,” he added.