Erica Kallstrom finishes ninth, medals at state
By Cara L. Dempski
WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Colfax cross country runner Erica Kallstrom is only a sophomore, but she has already participated in two state meets. This year, she had the pleasure of earning a ninth place, a medal, and a spot on the individual podium following the conclusion of the WIAA Division 3 Girls’ State Championship race held this past Saturday afternoon, October 29 at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.
Coach Joe Doucette said he was proud of Kallstrom, who was one of his best runners all year. After finishing first at conference and sectionals meets the previous two weeks, Doucette was happy with Kallstrom’s finish in Wisconsin Rapids.
“She was patient and smart, she kept moving up,” he explained. “The first time I saw her, she was mid-twenties, then she moved up to 18th, to 15th, to 13th, to finishing ninth.”
Kallstrom, who finished 14th at last year’s state meet, landed her medal with a 19:45.53 race. The Colfax coach said it was exciting to watch her participate in the medal ceremony. Doucette stated Kallstrom joined some other excellent runners from Colfax who have won state medals and state championships.
Belleville senior Noelle Maire won the Division 3 individual race with a time of 19:12.79. The Darlington girls won the team competition with 89 points to take home their first championship trophy.
On the boys’ side, Darlington won its sixth straight state team title and eighth overall, while Luther’s David Vanucchi won the individual title with his 15:59.33 finish.
Doucette noted it was a nice way to end the season after health issues kept the Viking girls team from competing at state this year. He said he felt badly that Ally Heidorn and Abbagail Schotter were not able to run at the state meet as seniors, but feels it was still a good season.
Colfax’ boys team made steady improvement throughout the season, and Doucette said probably they achieved more than any of the coaches thought they would at the beginning of the season.
The Vikings team and coaches will now turn their attention to track in the spring and next year’s cross country season. While Colfax will say goodbye to a talented group of seniors in May, there is an equally talented group of students to fill the open spots.
“We lose some great boys and girls,” Doucette said. “We are excited for next year because the conference and sectional are loaded with young teams.”
Doucette also said it was nice to see three teams from the Dunn-St. Croix competing in the Division 3 races for both boys and girls.
TEAM SCORES — BOYS DIVISION 3: 1. Darlington 68, 2. Aquinas 85, 3. Durand 118, 4. Living Word Lutheran 136, 5. Chequamegon 155, 6. Assumption 189, 7. Rosholt 195, 8. Luther 202, 9. Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld 213, 10. Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic 256, 11. Manitowoc Lutheran 264, 12 Unity 266, 13. Augusta 275, 14. Amherst 275, 15. Sheboygan Area Lutheran 246, 16. Stratford 425.
INDIVIDUAL TOP 10 — BOYS DIVISION 3: 1. David Vanucchi (Luther), 15:59.33; 2. Wesley Schiek (Valley Christian), 16:05.98; 3. Payton Heinberg (Darlington), 16:33.65; 4. Adam Rzentkowski (Rosholt), 16:38.64; 5. Jacob Wahlers (Algoma), 16:39.62; 6. Andrew Ruiz (Webster), 16:39.64; 7. Dan Lau (EC Immanuel Lutheran), 16:45.24; 8. Connor Dolan (Assumption), 16:46.26; 9. Garrett Franczek (Hilbert/Stockbridge), 16:47.01; 10. Alex Binfet (Unity), 16:48.03.
TEAM SCORES — GIRLS DIVISION 3: 1. Darlington, 2. Lourdes Academy 93, 3. Rosholt 152, 4. Dodgeland 157, 5. Albany 184, 6. Saint Mary’s Springs Academy 193, 7. Chequamegon 207, 8. Glenwood City 214, 9. Auburndale 236, 10. Lake Country Lutheran 247, 11. Pacelli 251, 12. Wittenberg-Birnamwood 252, 13. Aquinas 271, 14. Melrose-Mindoro 298, 15. Phillips 301, 16. Elk Mound 321.
INDIVIDUAL TOP 10 — GIRLS DIVISION 3: 1. Noelle Maire (Belleville) 19:12.79; 2. Lydia Murphy (Lancaster), 19:26.98, 3. Marissa Ellenbecker (Edgar), 19:30.85; 4. Meygan Benzing (Dodgeland), 19:31.44; 5. Emily Foley (Lourdes Academy), 19:36.45; 6. Ciara Kaderly (Albany), 19:41.71; 7. Erika Kisting (Iola-Scandinavia), 19:42.49; 8. Hannah Constable (Johnson Creek), 19:44.94; 9. Erica Kallstrom (Colfax), 19:45.53; 10. Delaney Greene-Gre (Marion), 19:46.51.