Elk Mound harriers compete at conference meet

DURAND — Led by three runners who placed in the top 15 spots, the Elk Mound girls finished three points away from second place and were fourth at the conference cross country meet held in Durand Oct. 15, while the boys had two in the top 20 to place sixth. Colfax won both team titles while Glenwood City was second in both races.

Elizabeth Fasbender and Alana Plaszcz came in for fourth and fifth respectively as Fasbender ran a time of 21:17 while Plaszcz finished in 21:33. Both were named First Team All Conference for their efforts. Brook Plaszcz was one place away from a Second Team AC spot as she was 15th in 22:51, while Meredith Hainstock claimed 30th in 24:44, Hanna Hollister followed in 31st at 24:46 and on her heels was Ciera Lind in 32nd at 24:48. Claudia Paul was 37th in 25:26, Kaitlyn Baier was 39th in 25:31 and just behind her came Nevada LaPointe in 40th at 25:31. Also competing were Audrey Westcott who finished 47th in 27:24, Corrine Zimmer was 50th in 27:56, Hannah Carlson crossed the finish line in 54th place in 28:24, Mattea Linberg claimed 55th place in 29:02, Elayna Gutsch was 57th at 29:21 and Mary Tamke was 64th at 35:05 Kassye Todd of Elmwood-Plum City was first in a time of 20:25.

“We were hoping to take one of those top two places but some injuries and illnesses cut those plans short,” coach Jeremiah Fredrickson said. “All our ladies ran hard and after our top three, we had some younger runners step up.”

Nate Kruger was named Second Team AC by placing 13th to lead the Mounder boys with a time of 19:49. Nate Lind claimed 19th place in 20:21 followed by Ryan Mohr in 28th at 20:43, Hayden Kohls was 32nd in 20:49, and Grant Kjellberg crossed the finish line in 35th at 21:08. Running in a pack, Bowdrie Noller was 42nd at 21:27, Jonas Kohls was 43rd at 21:30 and Jameson Rubenzer was 43rd in 21:36. Just two spots back was Jake Johnson in 46th at 21:39, Dylan Hanson ran a time of 22:12 for 50th, Nate Schreiber was 52nd in 22:39, Jared Strand followed in 55th in 23:04, Matt McLaughlin was 57th at 23:13 and the final Mounder to cross the line was Erik Strand in 58th at 23:47. Brett Tomlinson of Durand claimed the top spot in a time of 18:09

“Our boys ran really well as a team,” Fredrickson commented. “They were lacking experience coming into the season, but they worked hard and showed a lot of improvement. Senior Nate Kruger has become a real leader for us in just his second season of running and Bowdrie Noller has improved by leaps and bounds and worked his way onto the varsity. I think both teams are going to be ready for sectionals this week and we hope for a strong finish, both as a team and as individuals. Another week of practice will help us get ready,” he added.

Elk Mound will compete at the sectional meet to be held in Boyceville this Saturday.

The Elk Mound Middle School teams completed their season with the boys placing fourth and the girls fifth. Seth Hazen was 13th in a field of 55 boys and Brennen Zais was 17th, while Kirstin Martinson paced the girls in 16th place with 73 in the race.

BOYS VARSITY TEAM SCORES: Colfax 38, Glenwood City 89, Spring Valley 98, Durand 109, Boyceville 111, Elk Mound 127, Mondovi 162, Elmwood-Plum City 179

GIRLS VARSITY TEAM SCORES: Colfax 29, Glenwood City 82, Elmwood-Plum City 83, Elk Mound 85, Durand 153, Boyceville 156, Spring Valley 158, Mondovi 163