Boys, Girls CC teams take second in Pittsville

The Colby girls and Colby/Abbotsford cross-country opened their 2021 campaign with the Pittsville Invite last Thursday, and like a well-oiled machine, the runners are off to a quick start.

“Colby girls and Colby/Abbotsford boys cross country teams had their first meet of the 2021 season,” coach Bryon Graun said. “Both teams put up a good showing, with each finishing second.”

Unlike last year, when meets were limited to only a handful of schools, Pittsville featured nearly a dozen teams.

The girls team in particular had an excellent meet, considering they were shorthanded, with the team’s top runner, Willow Oehmichen, out for the night.

“Senior Daisy Feiten stepped up and led the team with a first place finish, something her older sister, Isabelle, was never able to do in her time in Colby,” Graun said.

Feiten gained ground on Stratford’s Kayla Casperson late in the race, before finally overtaking her down the stretch, winning the meet in 22:46.

“Seniors Mercedes Sarkkinen and Trinity Severson, and sophomore Reagan Schraufnagel, were all in the top 15, earning medals,” Graun said Stratford won the meet, topping Colby 26 to 37, but all seven of Colby’s varsity runners finished inside the top 20.

Sarkkinen was Colby’ second runner, just thirty seconds behind Feiten, taking fifth with a time of 23:16. Severson’s time of 24.55 was good for eleventh overall.

Schraufnagel took 15th overall in 25:51, and was followed closely behind by four of her teammates. Halopka was 16th in 26:05, Payton Roth was 17th in 26:20 and Casey Reynolds was 18th in 26.21.

Graun singled out senior Ella Halopka for her gutsy race. “The final scoring runner was senior, Ella Halopka, who had her best race in three years.”

Pearl Feiten was 24th in 28.12 in her high school debut. Jenell Ertl also made her debut, taking 26th in 29:29. Elizabeth Winters was 33rd in 30:51. Veronica Mateer placed 35th in her first ever high school meet with a time of 31:24. Gianna Mundt was 36th in 32:00. Allie Robida ran 33:52 to place 42nd overall.

The Colby/Abbotsford boys co-op bids goodbye to Chase Oehmichen, but senior Talon Severson has stepped up to carry the torch for the boys team.

“Severson finished seventh in 19:51,” Graun said. “Talon has been a great leader as this season has begun.”

Fellow senior Matt Matteer picked up a medal on Thursday racing to eleventh place in 20:24. Newcomer Max Adams had a strong debut, taking 14th in 20:39. Senior Richard Streveler was 21st in 21:39. Carter Roth and Braxton Smith came next, and were instrumental in helping Colby/Abby finish second as a team. Auburndale won the meet with a score of 45, but the co-op was tied with Pittsville with 73.

Roth finished 34th in 23:46, and Braxton Smith also ran the five kilometer course in 23:46.

“Braxton Smith’s 35th place helped break the tie to give the team its second place finish,” Graun explained.

Braylon Schoelzel took 36th in his first ever cross-country race, finishing the tough course in 23:48. Noah Kulas also made his debut to cross-country, and took 51st in 25:24. Josiah Bridger was the final Colby/Abby runner for the boys, taking 58th in 27:58.

Both teams will head to Nine Mile Recreation Area this Thursday, Sept. 2, with Marathon hosting the meet. Races will start at 4:30 p.m.