Depth and youth pinnacles of Elk Mound cross country teams
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THE ELK MOUND boys’ country team is looking for a third consecutive Dunn-St. Croix championship but has some big shoes to fill in order to achieve that goal. Front row (L to R): Tobey Westcott, Ian Hazen, Jesse Moyer, Evan Lauer, Avery Anderson, AJ Miller and Aiden Schiferl. Back row (L to R): Trey Schaefer, Avery Lauer, Brennen Zais, Walker Banazsak, Caleb Beskow, Will King, Jackson Gehweiler and Cooper Reese. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
by Laura Giammattei
Messenger Sports Correspondent
ELK MOUND — Another State berth will be the driving force of the Elk Mound boys’ cross country team this fall.
This will prove to be quite the challenge, as five leading runners dropped off the roster due to graduation or relocation. The Mounders not only lost a four-time State meet participant in Cade Hanson, but also four first team all-conference selections in Seth Hazen, Andrew Pathos, Brady Hudsucker and Lucas Wagner. This group of boys previously led the Mounders to back-to-back Dunn-St. Croix Conference (D-SC) championships, a second-place finish at sectionals and finished sixth at State.
“The leadership and dedication these runners had during their time as Mounder Harriers will be tough to replace and they will be missed,” returning head coach Jeremiah Frederickson said.
However, Frederickson is pleased with his roster this year, with it proving to be a balanced mixture of returning runners and fresh faces. A strong sophomore core of Ian Hazen, Aiden Schiferl and Trae Schaefer will bring skill and experience to the course, as Hazen earned himself a first team all-conference pick while Schiferl and Schaefer finished with second team honors during their freshmen seasons. Between these returning runners and talented incoming freshmen, Frederickson looks forward to seeing how these athletes can push each other to rise to their respective potential.
THE GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY team at Elk Mound High School has several fresh faces for the 2020 season that begins Thursday, September 10. Front row (L to R): Kyra Hadenfeldt, Madison Lehman, Lilly Tanula and Nevaeh Hinze. Back row (L to R): Aleya Hadenfeldt, Carly Mohr, Madisyn Mohr and Marley King. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
On the girls’ roster, Elk Mound welcomes back juniors Kyra Hadenfeldt, Olivia Schrieber and Lilly Tanula, as well as sophomore Aleya Hadenfeldt. These prior letter-winners aim to improve upon last season’s fifth place finish at conference and 10th place finish at Sectionals. This goal also transfers to the five incoming freshmen whom Frederickson expects to push for varsity spots on the squad.
Frederickson said depth and youth are by far the team’s strongest assets. “A lack of seniors beyond our two returning will make this a growing experience for all of us,” he said. “The talent we return from last year’s State team should help out a lot on the boys’ side and the youthful energy the girls add will make both teams that much better.”
Staying safe and healthy is the number one goal for Frederickson and his team this season, both in terms of running fitness and with Covid-19 concerns. “That being said, our [other primary] goal is continued improvement. The boys should compete for the conference title again and if there’s a State [berth] that would be their other big goal.”
The girls also plan to contend for a conference title and look to improve on their sectional performance from last year.
Frederickson looks to Glenwood City and Spring Valley as the teams to beat for the boys and Durand and Glenwood City as tough competitors for the girls. He is optimistic both teams can take the steps necessary to push their boundaries and compete at the highest levels within the conference and beyond.
This is Frederickson’s 11th year as head coach, with assistant coaches Kyle Hazen and Larry Zais entering their fifth and fourth years, respectively.
The D-SC Conference has been split into two pods: East and West. Elk Mound, along with Colfax, Durand, and Mondovi will be part of the East pod while Boyceville, Elmwood/Plum City, Glenwood City and Spring Valley make up the West pod. A full conference meet will be held October 15th in Durand with the East pod running at 3:30 p.m. and the West pod running at 5:00 p.m.
The first meets of the season will be held Thursday at Colfax High School for the East pod while Spring Valley hosts the West pod. Colfax will also host the second meet on Tuesday, September 15.
2020 Roster
Girls
Juniors: Kyra Hadenfeldt, Olivia Schrieber, Lilly Tanula
Sophomores: Aleya Hadenfeldt
Freshmen: Nevaeh Hinze, Madison Lehman, Marley King, Carly Mohr, Madisyn Mohr, Addison Young
Boys
Seniors: Avery Lauer, Brennen Zais
Juniors: Walker Banaszak, Will King, Cason Pederson, Carter Sundeen
Sophomores: Avery Anderson, Jackson Gehweiler, Ian Hazen, AJ Miller, Trae Schaefer, Aidan Schiferl, Tobey Westscott
Freshmen: Caleb Beskow, Evan Lauer, Jesse Moyer, Cooper Reese