Stratford junior Lydia Golbach, meanwhile, ….

Stratford junior Lydia Golbach, meanwhile, ran her best time of this season on Thursday at the Athens meet. She was the highest Stratford girl’s finisher by taking seventh place in 22:11. Stratford’s girls’ squad took second place behind champion Wisconsin Rapids Assumption.

Lydia, who is the daughter of Jeffrey and Trisha Golbach of Stratford, explained the strange method, which led to her running a successful race.

“I ate some chicken tenders for lunch, so it’s the lunch of champions, right,” she joked after the race. “I had a fun time eating lunch with my dad at Just 4 One in Stratford, so I figured it’s been a really good day therefore it’s time to run a good race. I got out of the bus and told myself, ‘this is the perfect running weather for me because it’s too cold outside for me to feel my legs hurting.’” Her Stratford teammate, Kressa Wenzel, took eighth place in 22:50. Stratford’s Ella Heidmann placed 10th in 23:09, Sarah Zuelke 11th in 23:11, Bailey Linzmaier 12th in 23:36 and Lauren Kraus 13th in 23:59.

Addyson Zettler of Athens placed 15th in 24:13.9, Stratford’s Lexie Christopherson 16th in 24:20, Emma Ford of Athens 19th in 25:52 and Stratford’s Maria Schoenfuss 21st in 27:16.

The Athens varsity boys and girl’s cross country teams’ seasons are postponed until Monday, Oct. 19, when students are able to switch back from virtual to in-person learning.