Huenink runs at a higher level

Cedar Grove-Belgium High School’s lone qualifier for the boys’ Division 2 cross country state meet in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday got a taste of different competition.

Weston Huenink completed the 5-kilometer course in 16 minutes, 41.3 seconds and finished 29th. Last season, he was 19th in 16:51.3 in the Division 3 race, helping his team to the state title.

The Rockets were bumped up to Division 2 this season via the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association’s competitive balance initiative and, after losing their top two runners to graduation, faced a near-impossible task to qualify as a team.

But Huenink has led the way all season, regularly finishing near the top in every race.

“It was a solid race. The third mile got to me a little bit, but that’ll happen sometimes. It was certainly a different experience being in Division 2 instead of Division 3. The competition is truly something,” he said of Saturday’s race.

If Huenink would have raced in Division 3, his time would have placed 10th and he would have received a medal.

“He went out at 5:04 for the first mile and was in 24th place, which is about ideal in terms of what we discussed pre-meet,” coach Brandon Langer said. “His second mile was 5:28 and he moved up five spots and was within 10 seconds of 10th place.  The roller coasters and hill with about 1,000 meters to go seemed to get him a bit over the last mile.”

Huenink is the third boy runner in Rockets’ history to compete in four state races. His first three were with the Rockets as a team before qualifying as an individual this season.

“It was an awesome career. I praise the Lord for all of the successes and failures that I’ve had from it. They’ve allowed me to grow not only as an athlete but as a person. I’m truly blessed to have run the state course four times. Not many people can lay claim to that,” he said.

“This program means a lot to me. All of the work the athletes, coaches and parents put into it is a staple of the success it’s had over the years.”

Brynlee moving up

Sophomore Brynlee Schmidt improved in her second state meet during a season in which she broke the Rockets’ school record.

Schmidt finished 38th in 20:28.6, up nine places and 27 seconds from her run as a freshman.

“I think it went well, considering I improved a lot from last year at state,” she said. “I think it was a good year for me with the school record and being able to qualify and run at state again.”

“Brynlee did a really good job moving up during the second mile. She went out a bit too conservative the first mile (6:17 when we discussed somewhere about 10 seconds faster), but she moved up 22 spots in that second mile and was within 23 seconds of 10th place,” Langer said. “As with Weston, the roller coasters and hill with 1,000 meters to go seemed to get her a bit.”

He is proud of both of his state-qualifying runners.

“I am impressed with both kids in terms of their work ethic during the season, determination, competitiveness and drive--traits that are required in this sport,” Langer said.

“This is what has propelled them to achieve what they have accomplished.  I am excited to see what they can do on the track this spring.” 

Ozaukee runners race well

Ozaukee’s two boy qualifiers in the Division 3 race made their coach proud.

Junior Nicholas Schubert finished 20th in 17:00 in his second time at state. He was 17th in 16:45.6 last year.

“Nick attacked the race right from the gun and put himself out there to start the first mile in 22nd place. He worked hard to stick with the pack and moved up three places.  Over the last mile, which is the hilliest and toughest portion of the race, Nick was moving back and forth with multiple competitors,” coach Andrew Pfeuffer said.

“Nick had a solid year for us. He was our number one runner all season, placed high in multiple meets and helped lead our young team.”

“I’ve had a lot of fun this season,” Schubert said, “but there’s still more I need to achieve so the work’s not finished.”

Freshman Wyatt Borchardt was 82nd in 18:22.7.

“Wyatt got out a little conservative the first mile and worked his way up during the race. In the last mile, he was able to push himself during the difficult portion of the race and move up 11 places,” Pfeuffer said.

“Wyatt wanted to be a little farther up, but this state experience will hopefully pave the way to more success over his next three years on the team.”

Borchardt said “it was a fun race” despite it not going as planned. “I hope to do better next season,” he said.