Historic XC season ends at state

Colby girls finish 11th in return to state

Few teams, and few seasons, experience the kind of success that the Colby girls cross-country team has enjoyed in 2021. Indeed, the Hornets achieved practically everything they set out to do.

Defend their Cloverbelt crown for a third straight year? Check. Defend last year’s sectional title? Check. Return to the state cross-country meet? You guessed it, check.

The Hornets made it look easy, and with the talent and depth this team has, that seemed to be the case for those outside looking in. But it was anything but, as Colby not only had to battle tough competition every step of the way - but also doubts, nerves and pressure.

“I think it shows just how much hard work we put in, between the offseason and the track season, and just how close we are together,” Daisy Feiten said.

“Coming into this season, we knew we weren’t going to lose anyone, so we knew we could do this, but it took a lot of hard work, and being consistent these past four years.”

Making this trip to state even more memorable was the return of the state tournament to its traditional home of the Ridges Golf Course at Wisconsin Rapids, and the return of hundreds of cheering fans.

“I can say that I would much rather have run on the Colby course, and without all the hills,” junior Willow Oehmichen said. “But the cheering is so loud that your ears are just ringing. The cheering is definitely the reason why everyone loves state.” Seeing fans return to state, and having all three divisions back, was certainly a sight to see, but one sight that surprised everyone was sunshine, a blue, cloudless sky and temps that reached 60 degrees.

“Last year was a lot colder for me, and I feel like that’s what killed us on this one,” Reagan Schraufnagel said. “I feel like the cold gives you more motivation to run fast, and the heat just makes you tired faster.”

It’s no secret that Colby loves to run in the cold, and the heat was definitely a factor in Saturday’s outcome, as multiple runners struggled on the rugged, hilly course and came through the finish line drenched in sweat from the uncharacteristic heat of late October.

The Colby girls finished eleventh as a team, improving upon last year’s placement of twelfth. The Hornets were hoping to do better overall as a team, but any way you cut it, this team, especially the seniors, are part of history.

And this year’s seniors have enjoyed a stretch of success that makes them arguably the best in program history. After all, they’ve been a part of four straight Cloverbelt titles, a pair of sectional titles, and a pair of trips to state.

Those numbers and trophies will adorn the halls of Colby High for years to come, and if there’s anything this year’s team wishes for, it’s to inspire other runners to do the same.

“I hope I’m a good example for the other girls. I hope that we are remembered for our team, and for how close we are,” Feiten said afterwards. “I love how we’re all best friends. That’s all I could ask for because to make it here, it takes a team.”

Feiten leaves the program with another feat - a school record. Feiten’s time of 20:20 at the WIAA D-3 sectional meet in Athens is a new benchmark for speed.

“Mentally, it was pretty big, like breaking my old PR. I didn’t think I could do it, especially breaking 21:00, and then getting the school record. I didn’t think I could ever be this fast.”

Feiten led the way for Colby on Saturday, nearly reaching another PR as she completed the 3.1 mile race in 20:43 to finish 28th overall.

Willow Oehmichen came next for the Hornets, placing 68th overall with her time of 21:44. Freshman Makenna Herrmann surprised everyone as she finished third on the team, placing 81st overall in 22:10.

Sophomore Reagan Schraufnagel ran a hard race to place 96th overall in 22:46. Freshman Pearl Feiten pushed past the pain to run a gritty race and place 129th in 24:09.

Seniors Trinity Severson and Mercedes Sarkkinen struggled in the heat, and placed 132nd and 146th respectively in times of 24:26 and 26:01.

Boscobel won the race with a final score of 71 points, followed by Valders in second place with 108 combined points, and Lourdes Academy in third with a score of 110 points.

The Hornets will bid goodbye to seniors Daisy Feiten, Trinity Severson and Mercedes Sarkkinen, along with seniors Ella Halopka and Elizabeth Winters, but they will also return three of their seven varsity runners, including all conference recipients Oehmichen, Schraunagel, Herrmann and Pearl Feiten.

A fifth straight Cloverbelt title is definitely possible, and after the sustained success of the past few years, the 2022 edition of the Colby girls cross-country program is ready to make their mark on the sport.

“It definitely makes us want to come back here, and I think we’d all love to come back here again,” Schraufnagel said. “It’s going to be harder because we’re losing three of our top five runners, but I feel like we could do it if we put in the work in the offseason.”

TREND SETTER -Colby High senior Daisy Feiten blazes through the state meet, finishing 28th on Saturday. Feiten also set a school record this year.

TRIN FOR THE WIN -Senior Trinity Severson powers through the Ridged Golf Course at Wisconsin Rapids during the WIAA D-3 state meet.

THANK YOU, SENIORS! - Senior Mercedes Sarkkinen sprints to the finish line in the last CC meet of her excellent career.

BRIGHT FUTURE - Sophomore Reagan Schraufnagel was all-conference this year, and hopes to guide Colby to another conference title in 2022.