ALBANY - The last time the Albany boys cross country team ran on its home course, it came one point short of making a trip to state.
The Comets were not going to be denied Saturday as they ran to the small schools championship at the Baertschi Invitational. Albany outdistanced Boscobel 43-55 for the team title. It's the same Boscobel team that edged them at sectionals last year for a trip to state.
New Glarus-Monticello finished fourth (118) and Monroe took sixth (152) out of 13 teams in the large schools race. Brodhead-Juda finished ninth (238). Stoughton edged Badger South rival Oregon for the team title 63-69.
"It just carries us every day to go harder in practice," said junior Tyler Dahl, who finished fifth overall out of 180 runners and took third in the small school division.
Dahl started to make his move on the 1,000-meter back loop at the Baertschi Farm.
"We do the 1,000 loop all the time during practice," Dahl said. "I felt like that was the time to go. It's a great lift up for the team."
The Comets showcased their depth, placing five runners in the top 14 of the small school division. Albany senior Aaron Johnson finished fifth (17:28.1) and senior Brennan Bloedel was eighth (17:47.7). Junior teammate Josh Little took 13th (18:11.9) and sophomore Isaac Halverson was 14th (18:14.3).
Albany coach Tony Brewer said the race was a tune-up for the conference meet.
"I think our biggest weakness all year has been our gaps," Brewer said of the finishes between runners. "We had smaller gaps today. We know what we have in Johnson and Bloedel. Isaac Halverson really stepped up."
Brewer understands the results from the Baertschi Invite won't mean anything in two weeks when it's time for the sectional.
"You don't get to state by running the Baertschi well," Brewer said.
The Cheesemakers held out their top five runners.
"We had a run-off for the last three spots," Monroe coach Dave Hirsbrunner said of the Cheesemakers looking to make the varsity for the Badger South Conference meet. "We had seven guys running for three spots."
New Glarus-Monticello senior John Zuber took sixth place in the large school division with a time of 17:39.4. Sophomore teammate Kyle Fredrickson finished 12th (17:56.4). The top two runners for the Cheesemakers were sophomore Ryan Peterson, who took 24th (18:27.8), and freshman Drake Ingold, who was 25th (18:28.7).
Monroe junior Jack Schluesche finished 30th (18:37) and junior Thang Lu was 35th (18:47.9). Senior teammate Justin Batz took 38th (18:52.6) to round out the top five for the Cheesemakers.
"You really have to tip for hat to Jack Schluesche," Hirsbrunner said. "He really hit one when he had to."
New Glarus-Monticello senior Dylan Beckwith was 27th (18:34). Junior Max Cruse finished 31st (18:38.7) and sophomore teammate Christian Arnett was 42nd (19:04.1) to round out the top five for the Glarner Knights.
Brodhead-Juda junior Dylan Speckman finished 34th (18:47.6) and senior C.J. Hack took 45th (19:12.1) followed by Blake Burns taking 46th (19:13.8) to lead the Cardinals.Mary Jane Grenzow 10/12/14
The Comets were not going to be denied Saturday as they ran to the small schools championship at the Baertschi Invitational. Albany outdistanced Boscobel 43-55 for the team title. It's the same Boscobel team that edged them at sectionals last year for a trip to state.
New Glarus-Monticello finished fourth (118) and Monroe took sixth (152) out of 13 teams in the large schools race. Brodhead-Juda finished ninth (238). Stoughton edged Badger South rival Oregon for the team title 63-69.
"It just carries us every day to go harder in practice," said junior Tyler Dahl, who finished fifth overall out of 180 runners and took third in the small school division.
Dahl started to make his move on the 1,000-meter back loop at the Baertschi Farm.
"We do the 1,000 loop all the time during practice," Dahl said. "I felt like that was the time to go. It's a great lift up for the team."
The Comets showcased their depth, placing five runners in the top 14 of the small school division. Albany senior Aaron Johnson finished fifth (17:28.1) and senior Brennan Bloedel was eighth (17:47.7). Junior teammate Josh Little took 13th (18:11.9) and sophomore Isaac Halverson was 14th (18:14.3).
Albany coach Tony Brewer said the race was a tune-up for the conference meet.
"I think our biggest weakness all year has been our gaps," Brewer said of the finishes between runners. "We had smaller gaps today. We know what we have in Johnson and Bloedel. Isaac Halverson really stepped up."
Brewer understands the results from the Baertschi Invite won't mean anything in two weeks when it's time for the sectional.
"You don't get to state by running the Baertschi well," Brewer said.
The Cheesemakers held out their top five runners.
"We had a run-off for the last three spots," Monroe coach Dave Hirsbrunner said of the Cheesemakers looking to make the varsity for the Badger South Conference meet. "We had seven guys running for three spots."
New Glarus-Monticello senior John Zuber took sixth place in the large school division with a time of 17:39.4. Sophomore teammate Kyle Fredrickson finished 12th (17:56.4). The top two runners for the Cheesemakers were sophomore Ryan Peterson, who took 24th (18:27.8), and freshman Drake Ingold, who was 25th (18:28.7).
Monroe junior Jack Schluesche finished 30th (18:37) and junior Thang Lu was 35th (18:47.9). Senior teammate Justin Batz took 38th (18:52.6) to round out the top five for the Cheesemakers.
"You really have to tip for hat to Jack Schluesche," Hirsbrunner said. "He really hit one when he had to."
New Glarus-Monticello senior Dylan Beckwith was 27th (18:34). Junior Max Cruse finished 31st (18:38.7) and sophomore teammate Christian Arnett was 42nd (19:04.1) to round out the top five for the Glarner Knights.
Brodhead-Juda junior Dylan Speckman finished 34th (18:47.6) and senior C.J. Hack took 45th (19:12.1) followed by Blake Burns taking 46th (19:13.8) to lead the Cardinals.Mary Jane Grenzow 10/12/14
