ALBANY - Monroe girls cross country coach Brian Jefferson wanted to challenge his runners.
That's why Jefferson divided up his athletes into three groups and wanted them to push each other at the 17th annual Baertschi Invitational, Saturday.
The Cheesemakers (163 points) finished sixth at the invite behind fifth-place New Glarus-Monticello (125). Mount Horeb-Barneveld, the defending WIAA Division 2 state champions, edged Brookfield Central, 54-55 for the title. Jefferson was more concerned with the Cheesemakers executing the game plan.
"Today is nothing to get too excited, upset or angry about," Jefferson said. "I told the girls before the race that we are not worried about the team results."
New Glarus-Monticello senior Kelsey Bernet finished sixth with a time of 16 minutes, 22 seconds, which was just ahead of Monroe senior Tess Seichter, who took eighth in 16:41. The Knights had four of the top 29 runners. New Glarus-Monticello sophomore LouAnn Judd finished 17th (17:01), senior Rachel Miller took 24th (17:11) and freshman Madeline Brunner was 29th (17:28).
Bernet credited running hills in practice to her success.
"We at least run one hill every day," Bernet said. "It definitely helps. I think I ran pretty good. I had a nice finish."
Seichter said the Cheesemakers are peaking at the right time.
"Now all it depends on is the mental," Seichter said. "We have reached the peak of our physical abilities. Now we need to reach the peak of our mental abilities."
Monroe sophomore Molly Hlubek took 35th (17:52) and freshman Abby Rogerson was 38th (17:55). Monroe senior Tessa Frutiger finished 40th (18:01) and freshman Elizabeth Dale took 42nd (18:06). Monroe junior Rachel Rogerson rounded out the top five for the Cheesemakers as she finished 48th (18:15). Junior Abbey Schneider was 52nd (18:26).
"Rachel and Abby have to be up there for us to be in the top three at conference," Jefferson said. "It's a good workout race. We want them to get up where they should be."
Pardeeville outdistanced Albany for the small schools title, 44-65. Albany had four runners place in the top 15. Albany junior Rosy Bauman led the Comets with an 11th-place finish (17:42).
Albany sophomore Ciara Kubesh took 12th (17:46), sophomore Jessica Mauerman finished 13th (17:52), junior Ingrid Kallgren was 14th (17:55) and junior Courtney Pfeuti was 15th (18:06).
"It's what we wanted going into conference," Albany coach Tony Brewer said. "They got out strong and pushed themselves today. Today they had to work for what they got."
Pecatonica-Argyle finished seventh out of eight teams in the small school race. Pecatonica senior Kendra Sigg finished seventh with a time of 17:02. The Vikings had three other runners finish in the top 40, including freshman Emma Marion, who was 28th (18:56), freshman McKensie Burreson, 35th (19:37) and junior Maureen Johanna, 39th (20:06).
Brodhead-Juda finished 12th in the 12 team large school race. The Cardinals were led by junior Shannon Klein, who took 59th (18:57). Brodhead-Juda senior Janae Squires finished 65th (19:33), and junior Megan Ball was 68th (20:00).
Brodhead-Juda senior Rachel Nolte took 70th (20:24) and junior Tia Collins was 74th (21:21) rounding out the top five for the Cardinals.
That's why Jefferson divided up his athletes into three groups and wanted them to push each other at the 17th annual Baertschi Invitational, Saturday.
The Cheesemakers (163 points) finished sixth at the invite behind fifth-place New Glarus-Monticello (125). Mount Horeb-Barneveld, the defending WIAA Division 2 state champions, edged Brookfield Central, 54-55 for the title. Jefferson was more concerned with the Cheesemakers executing the game plan.
"Today is nothing to get too excited, upset or angry about," Jefferson said. "I told the girls before the race that we are not worried about the team results."
New Glarus-Monticello senior Kelsey Bernet finished sixth with a time of 16 minutes, 22 seconds, which was just ahead of Monroe senior Tess Seichter, who took eighth in 16:41. The Knights had four of the top 29 runners. New Glarus-Monticello sophomore LouAnn Judd finished 17th (17:01), senior Rachel Miller took 24th (17:11) and freshman Madeline Brunner was 29th (17:28).
Bernet credited running hills in practice to her success.
"We at least run one hill every day," Bernet said. "It definitely helps. I think I ran pretty good. I had a nice finish."
Seichter said the Cheesemakers are peaking at the right time.
"Now all it depends on is the mental," Seichter said. "We have reached the peak of our physical abilities. Now we need to reach the peak of our mental abilities."
Monroe sophomore Molly Hlubek took 35th (17:52) and freshman Abby Rogerson was 38th (17:55). Monroe senior Tessa Frutiger finished 40th (18:01) and freshman Elizabeth Dale took 42nd (18:06). Monroe junior Rachel Rogerson rounded out the top five for the Cheesemakers as she finished 48th (18:15). Junior Abbey Schneider was 52nd (18:26).
"Rachel and Abby have to be up there for us to be in the top three at conference," Jefferson said. "It's a good workout race. We want them to get up where they should be."
Pardeeville outdistanced Albany for the small schools title, 44-65. Albany had four runners place in the top 15. Albany junior Rosy Bauman led the Comets with an 11th-place finish (17:42).
Albany sophomore Ciara Kubesh took 12th (17:46), sophomore Jessica Mauerman finished 13th (17:52), junior Ingrid Kallgren was 14th (17:55) and junior Courtney Pfeuti was 15th (18:06).
"It's what we wanted going into conference," Albany coach Tony Brewer said. "They got out strong and pushed themselves today. Today they had to work for what they got."
Pecatonica-Argyle finished seventh out of eight teams in the small school race. Pecatonica senior Kendra Sigg finished seventh with a time of 17:02. The Vikings had three other runners finish in the top 40, including freshman Emma Marion, who was 28th (18:56), freshman McKensie Burreson, 35th (19:37) and junior Maureen Johanna, 39th (20:06).
Brodhead-Juda finished 12th in the 12 team large school race. The Cardinals were led by junior Shannon Klein, who took 59th (18:57). Brodhead-Juda senior Janae Squires finished 65th (19:33), and junior Megan Ball was 68th (20:00).
Brodhead-Juda senior Rachel Nolte took 70th (20:24) and junior Tia Collins was 74th (21:21) rounding out the top five for the Cardinals.
