BRODHEAD - Madelynn McIntyre played volleyball in middle school. It wasn't until she started running in 5K races this summer that she decided to change her athletic path.
McIntyre, a freshman, traded in her volleyball pads for running shoes and joined the Brodhead-Juda cross country team. Now, she is on the brink of her first WIAA Division 2 state race at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids Saturday.
"I really liked running distance in middle school," McIntyre said. "I did run some 5Ks in the summer. It was a hard decision (to pick volleyball or cross country). Now that I'm in cross, I'm glad I am because I really like it."
McIntyre is the first Brodhead-Juda runner to win an individual sectional title. McIntyre's father, Mike McIntyre, was an individual state champion for Albany in 1988. He led the Comets to three straight state titles from 1987-89.
Madelynn credits her father for supporting her during the transition from volleyball to cross country. She also plays basketball and runs track.
"He's helped me a lot," she said. "He showed me how he does run) hills. He has given me a lot of pointers. He's always pushed and motivated me to do my best all the time."
Brodhead-Juda coach Curt Gratz is excited to have two girls - McIntyre and senior Madee Harding - earn a tip to state.
"She has some genetics and that helps," Gratz said of McIntyre. "She's very driven. She came into the season making qualifying (for state) her goal. It's pretty bold as a freshman. She will definitely be in the mix."
McIntyre will have Harding with her to run in her first state meet. Harding is making her second state appearance and gave McIntyre some tips for navigating the course.
"I know it's a hilly course," McIntyre said. "I'm happy because I love running hills. She (Harding) has given me a few pointers about where I need to be at the start of the race, how it starts off wide and then narrows and told me how I need to get out and find my spot."
In Division 2, six of the top-10 finishers last season return this year, led by junior Dana Feyen of Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau, who ran to the championship last season after finishing runner-up in 2015. Wisconsin Dells sophomore Laura Beghin finished second last year in her freshman season. Another sophomore, Annie Higgins of Xavier, came in fourth last year. Other top-10 finishers back and vying for the title include senior Erin Sorg of Delavan-Darien (eighth in 2016, fifth 2015), and the Freedom tandem of senior Jaci Hinz and junior Lauren Vosters, who finished ninth and 10th, respectively. Other contenders that may challenge for the individual title based on sectional results are seniors Olivia Moll of St. Croix Central and Elise Large of Random Lake/Ozaukee, Green Bay Notre Dame junior Jenna Cuene and Lakeland sophomore Ashley Peterson.
McIntyre, who won the Division 2 Platteville sectional, doesn't think it's unrealistic for her to finish in the top 10 at state.
"I feel like if I work hard and push through the whole race it will be possible," she said. "I don't think it's impossible. I'm hoping to get a good time and beat my PR," she said.
In Division 3, Darlington senior Reghan Komprood and junior Ilse Mendez will run for the Redbirds.
"Their goal is to get into the top 10," Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said of Mendez and Komprood. "They can do that. They both are running very sharp right now."
Five of the top nine individual finishers from last year's Div. 3 state meet return. Lancaster junior Lydie Murphy is expected to contend for the individual championship this season after placing runner-up last season and seventh in 2015. Edgar sophomore Marissa Ellenbecker returns to the state meet after running to a third-place finish last season in her freshman campaign, and Dodgeland junior Meygan Benzing was fourth last season. Senior Erika Kisting of Iola-Scandinavia returns after placing seventh last year and third in 2015, and Colfax junior Erica Kallstrom took ninth a year ago.
Albany senior Emma Guenther, a four-time state qualifier, will look to improve on her 40th-place finish at state last year.
McIntyre, a freshman, traded in her volleyball pads for running shoes and joined the Brodhead-Juda cross country team. Now, she is on the brink of her first WIAA Division 2 state race at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids Saturday.
"I really liked running distance in middle school," McIntyre said. "I did run some 5Ks in the summer. It was a hard decision (to pick volleyball or cross country). Now that I'm in cross, I'm glad I am because I really like it."
McIntyre is the first Brodhead-Juda runner to win an individual sectional title. McIntyre's father, Mike McIntyre, was an individual state champion for Albany in 1988. He led the Comets to three straight state titles from 1987-89.
Madelynn credits her father for supporting her during the transition from volleyball to cross country. She also plays basketball and runs track.
"He's helped me a lot," she said. "He showed me how he does run) hills. He has given me a lot of pointers. He's always pushed and motivated me to do my best all the time."
Brodhead-Juda coach Curt Gratz is excited to have two girls - McIntyre and senior Madee Harding - earn a tip to state.
"She has some genetics and that helps," Gratz said of McIntyre. "She's very driven. She came into the season making qualifying (for state) her goal. It's pretty bold as a freshman. She will definitely be in the mix."
McIntyre will have Harding with her to run in her first state meet. Harding is making her second state appearance and gave McIntyre some tips for navigating the course.
"I know it's a hilly course," McIntyre said. "I'm happy because I love running hills. She (Harding) has given me a few pointers about where I need to be at the start of the race, how it starts off wide and then narrows and told me how I need to get out and find my spot."
In Division 2, six of the top-10 finishers last season return this year, led by junior Dana Feyen of Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau, who ran to the championship last season after finishing runner-up in 2015. Wisconsin Dells sophomore Laura Beghin finished second last year in her freshman season. Another sophomore, Annie Higgins of Xavier, came in fourth last year. Other top-10 finishers back and vying for the title include senior Erin Sorg of Delavan-Darien (eighth in 2016, fifth 2015), and the Freedom tandem of senior Jaci Hinz and junior Lauren Vosters, who finished ninth and 10th, respectively. Other contenders that may challenge for the individual title based on sectional results are seniors Olivia Moll of St. Croix Central and Elise Large of Random Lake/Ozaukee, Green Bay Notre Dame junior Jenna Cuene and Lakeland sophomore Ashley Peterson.
McIntyre, who won the Division 2 Platteville sectional, doesn't think it's unrealistic for her to finish in the top 10 at state.
"I feel like if I work hard and push through the whole race it will be possible," she said. "I don't think it's impossible. I'm hoping to get a good time and beat my PR," she said.
In Division 3, Darlington senior Reghan Komprood and junior Ilse Mendez will run for the Redbirds.
"Their goal is to get into the top 10," Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said of Mendez and Komprood. "They can do that. They both are running very sharp right now."
Five of the top nine individual finishers from last year's Div. 3 state meet return. Lancaster junior Lydie Murphy is expected to contend for the individual championship this season after placing runner-up last season and seventh in 2015. Edgar sophomore Marissa Ellenbecker returns to the state meet after running to a third-place finish last season in her freshman campaign, and Dodgeland junior Meygan Benzing was fourth last season. Senior Erika Kisting of Iola-Scandinavia returns after placing seventh last year and third in 2015, and Colfax junior Erica Kallstrom took ninth a year ago.
Albany senior Emma Guenther, a four-time state qualifier, will look to improve on her 40th-place finish at state last year.
