GC cross country seeking success, good health in 2017

By Cara L. Dempski

GLENWOOD CITY — Hilltoppers’ head cross country coach Matthew Schutz has little to worry about with his girls’ team, but is hoping to see the boys’ squad step up its game this year.

That does not mean the coach does not have goals for the teams.

“For the girls’ team, I need them to stay healthy and look to repeat last year’s success,” Schutz said. “The boys will need to improve their standing at the conference meet and become more competitive.”

The Glenwood City girls’ cross country team placed eighth out of 16 teams at the 2016 WIAA Division 3 State Championships last October after winning both the Dunn-St. Croix and sectional titles. In contrast, the boys’ team had to fight its way through youth and inexperience.

Then, they said goodbye to four-time state competitor Taylor Drinkman, and her fellow senior girls Kaylie Scalze and Tia Carlson.

Corey Klatt was the lone senior on a boys’ team that struggled through last season.

This year, Emma Scholler, Makayla O’Brien, Megan Speiser and Elizabeth Wink return to the team for one final season as Hilltoppers. Wink and O’Brien are two of the girls’ biggest assets, and it is Schutz’s hope they will stay healthy throughout the season.

Schutz said newcomer Megan Speiser will be one to watch throughout 2017 after a successful track and field season for her earlier this year.

The senior boys for 2017 are Jacob Nadeau, Kyle Meyers, Bradley Kessler and Matthew Bauman.

While the girls’ took top honors as conference champions, Bauman was the lone boy who took all-conference honors, landing on the second-team all-Dunn-St. Croix. Bauman and Nadeau are two of the team’s strongest male runners.

Juniors Julia Dinkel and Hanna Strehlo are the only representatives for the Class of 2019 on this year’s Hilltoppers team. The duo will vie for top spots on the varsity team.

Sophomores Emily Bethell and Izzy Williams return to the girls’ squad after picking up varsity letters their freshman year. They are joined by Nyah Anderson.

On the boys’ side, sophomores Jabin Hojem, Elijah Simmons and Lane O’Meara are among runners Schutz counts as assets to the team. The trio, along with Aaron Holmquist, shows promise for the future of the Glenwood City cross country program.

Freshmen Annika Bauman, Myah Eliason, Gabrielle Moede, Alexis Swanepoel, William Eggert, Matthew O’Brien and Henry Wallin will be competing for spots on this year’s team as well. The Glenwood City coach sees a lot of potential in Moede, Eliason, and O’Brien, and will be keeping his eye on them throughout the season.

While the girls’ team has plenty of experience, good attitudes, talent, work ethic and leadership, Schutz admits a runner like Taylor Drinkman is hard to replace.

The boys’ team is more experienced this year, has good leadership, and positive attitudes. What will hurt the Hilltopper boys is the small team numbers, and whether or not they will be able to feed off each other’s successes for the team.

Schutz is in his 11th year as a cross country coach for Glenwood City, and is starting his eighth as the head coach. He will be assisted again this year by Angela Williams.

The Hilltopper head coach sees his girls’ team in the mix with Colfax and Elk Mound for the 2017 D-SC championship, and is keeping his eye on the Cameron girls for sectionals. The biggest threats on the boys’ side will be Durand and Elk Mound at the conference level, and McDonell Central High School at sectionals.

Glenwood City competed in its first meet of the season last Thursday at Tiffany Creek Elementary in Boyceville. The girls walked away with a team win, and the boys were eighth out of 14.

The Toppers will run again at St. Croix Central this Thursday, August 31 before taking a break until September 12, when they will run at Rice Lake.

2017 Roster

Seniors: Matthew Bauman, Bradley Kessler, Kyle Meyers, Jacob Nadeau, Makayla O’Brien, Emma Scholler, Megan Speiser and Elizabeth Wink.

Juniors: Julie Dinkel and Hanna Strehlo.

Sophomores: Nyah Anderson, Emily Bethell, Jabin Hojem, Aaron Holmquist, Lane O’Meara, Elijah Simmons, Isabella Williams.

Freshmen: Annika Bauman, William Eggert, Myah Eliason, Gabrielle Moede, Matthew O’Brien, Alexis Swanepoel and Henry Wallin.