CG-Belgium runners look to get ahead

Expectations are high for the Cedar Grove-Belgium High School girls’ cross country team this season.

The Rockets return everyone from a team that took second in the Big East Conference and third at a Division 3 sectional meet.

“They have their sights set on conference and sectional titles, and if they continue to train smart and work together, they should be right there,” coach Brandon Langer said.

On Saturday, the girls scored 391 points for fourth in the small school division of the Milwaukee River Invitational and 12th overall.

Senior Karen Ibarra led by finishing 43rd in 22 minutes, 21 seconds. Next was senior Grace Voskuil in 53rd in 22:57.Senior Jacy Zajac was 72nd in 23:50, freshman Lyndsay Sass was 75th in 23:55, and sophomore Cheyenne Simonet was 76th in 24:01.

The Rocket boys lost star Stephen Lavey to graduation, along with Brandon Wieberdink.

On Saturday, they scored 303 points, taking fifth in the small school division and 14th overall.

Senior Quinn Hoopman was 23rd in 18:13. Senior Bryce Ketterhagen was 57th in 19:00, and senior Elliot Depies was 60th in 19:10. Freshman Nathanael Bruhn was 76th in 19:40, and senior Andrew Reichert was 87th in 20:06.

“The key to the boy’s season will be pack running,” Langer said. “With the group of upperclassmen that are returning, along with a couple of new sophomores and freshman, I have no doubt that they will push each other to defend their conference and sectional titles.”

The Rockets next run in the Homestead Highlander Friday at Tendick Park in Saukville. The meet starts at 5:20 p.m.