MONROE - Few teams enjoy a home-course advantage like the Monroe boys cross country team has at Twining Park.
Monroe is 140-7 since 1998 running at Twining Park. The Cheesemakers are counting on that home-course advantage holding in a WIAA Division 2 sectional showdown with Dodgeville-Mineral Point Saturday.
"I think it's an attitude that you don't want to lose in your town on your home course," Monroe coach Dave Hirsbrunner said. "We know where every nook, cranny, hole, acorn and root is on that course."
Dodgeville-Mineral Point was the state runner-up last year and is the defending sectional champions. Monroe is looking to add to its dominance that includes six state trips in the last seven years. The top two teams will advance to the state meet Oct. 29.
"They (Dodgeville-Mineral Point) are definitely the favorite," Hirsbrunner said. "They are the defending sectional runner-up and sectional champions. They have everyone back."
When Dodgeville-Mineral Point defeated the Cheesemakers at the Platteville Invite earlier this season, it came down to the fifth runner.
"I'm not going to put it all on the No. 5 runner," Hirsbrunner said. "Our gap is at the No. 4 and 5."
The Cheesemakers have had a solid top four all season with sophomore Ethan Moehn, senior Joel Henry, senior Luke Peterson and junior Steve Christiansen.
"If we get one of our other three guys close to them, we will be tough to beat," Hirsbrunner said.
The Cheesemakers are still running 35 miles this week and are doing more speed work.
"We are still peaking for next week (state)," Hirsbrunner said. "They are definitely getting faster. It will be neat to see when we let them go on Saturday.
"Some people think it's cross country just go out there and run and see what happens," Hirsbrunner said. "There is an intense game plan we have to execute."
Monroe is 140-7 since 1998 running at Twining Park. The Cheesemakers are counting on that home-course advantage holding in a WIAA Division 2 sectional showdown with Dodgeville-Mineral Point Saturday.
"I think it's an attitude that you don't want to lose in your town on your home course," Monroe coach Dave Hirsbrunner said. "We know where every nook, cranny, hole, acorn and root is on that course."
Dodgeville-Mineral Point was the state runner-up last year and is the defending sectional champions. Monroe is looking to add to its dominance that includes six state trips in the last seven years. The top two teams will advance to the state meet Oct. 29.
"They (Dodgeville-Mineral Point) are definitely the favorite," Hirsbrunner said. "They are the defending sectional runner-up and sectional champions. They have everyone back."
When Dodgeville-Mineral Point defeated the Cheesemakers at the Platteville Invite earlier this season, it came down to the fifth runner.
"I'm not going to put it all on the No. 5 runner," Hirsbrunner said. "Our gap is at the No. 4 and 5."
The Cheesemakers have had a solid top four all season with sophomore Ethan Moehn, senior Joel Henry, senior Luke Peterson and junior Steve Christiansen.
"If we get one of our other three guys close to them, we will be tough to beat," Hirsbrunner said.
The Cheesemakers are still running 35 miles this week and are doing more speed work.
"We are still peaking for next week (state)," Hirsbrunner said. "They are definitely getting faster. It will be neat to see when we let them go on Saturday.
"Some people think it's cross country just go out there and run and see what happens," Hirsbrunner said. "There is an intense game plan we have to execute."
