Colfax Cross Country sees low numbers for boys’ and girls’ teams
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2019 COLFAX CROSS COUNTRY — The Vikings’ cross country teams will deal with smaller numbers this season as only four boys are out this year and eight for the girls. Front row (L to R): Aston Yarrington, Dennis Sonnentag, Noah Heidorn and Brison Tuschl. Back row (L to R): Molly Heidorn, Emilee Burcham-Scofield, Aynsley Olson, Juelia Berger, Jillian Bowe, Jenna Goodell, Jaclyn Olson and Jasmine Best.
—photo by Amber Hayden
COLFAX — The lack of numbers may play a large factor in the success of Colfax’s 2019 cross county season according to longtime Vikings’ head coach Joe Doucette.
The boys’ team has its smallest numbers ever stated Doucette, as the squad looks to replace some good athletes who graduated this past spring.
The Viking boys lost Luke Heidorn and Trevor Rothbauer to graduation. Heidorn was a three-time all-conference runner for Colfax and Rothbauer improved throughout his career and missed making all-conference teams a year ago.
The Lady Vikes will be without standout Erica Kallstrom and Hailey Prince who both graduated in May. Kallstrom, a four-year varsity letter winner, qualified for state three times and earned a trio of all-conference honor and was one of Colfax’s three medal winners. Prince was also a four-time letter winner and a one-time all-conference designee.
“They were both part of the 2015 state third-place team,” Doucette said.
Despite the loss of four of their top runners, coach Doucette does see potential in several of his returning athletes.
The boys return Noah Heidorn, Dennis Sonnentag and Luke Blanchard for the 2019 season, while the girls will welcome back Juelia Berger, Jasmine Best, Jillian Bowe, Emilee Burcham-Scofield and Jenna Goodell. Hiedorn and Best both earned second team all-conference honors.
Coach Doucette does see potential in three incoming freshmen which include Molly Heidorn and Aynsley Olson for the girls, both of which were very good in middle school, and Ashton Yarrington for the boys.
Dennis Sonnentag and Noah Heidorn will be a strength for Colfax as they improve as the season goes on, and for the girls the returning runners and two incoming freshmen will leave an impact.
The goal for the Vikings is simple, according to Doucette, work hard and improve.
“Durand and Glenwood City girls will be the teams to watch as they went to state and return a lot,” said Doucette. “For the boys, Durand and Elk Mound will both be very good again.”
Doucette has guided Colfax since starting the program in 1992. His boys’ teams have won 11 conference titles, nine state berths and the 1998 WIAA Division 3 boys’ state championship. The girls squad have claimed nine conference titles and nine state berths, with four top-five finishes at state.
“We have great kids in our program, we hope to work hard and improve,” Doucette said. “We want to represent the school community in a classy way.”
Last year the Colfax boys finished third in conference and fourth at sectionals while the ladies came in fourth at the conference meet and third in the sectional competition.
2019 Roster
Seniors: Juelia Berger and Dennis Sonnentag.
Juniors: Noah Heidorn and Jaclyn Olson
Sophomores: Jasmine Best, Luke Blanchard, Jillian Bowe, and Jenna Goodell.
Freshmen: Molly Heidorn, Aynsley Olson, and Ashton Yarrington.