MONROE - With her legs getting wobbly, Monroe High School sophomore Rachel Meier pushed through the final 100 meters trying to fight off challengers vying for second place in the 20th annual Bruess Invitational Monday.
Meier battled to fourth place in the 5,000-meter race in a time of 21 minutes, 8.3 seconds at Twining Park. Belleville junior Noelle Marie won the race (20:40.7). Albany junior Ciara Kaderly finished fifth (21:15.7).
"I think Rachel took it personally when people said Monroe needed a No. 1 runner," Monroe coach Dave Hirsbrunner said. "She told the coaches she would be that No. 1 runner. She took it personal and showed it today. Rachel Meier has filled the shoes of a solid No. 1 runner."
Meier collapsed after the race and was taken by ambulance to the Monroe Clinic.
"I'm hoping it's just dehydration," Hirsbrunner said. "There were too many ambulance rides, but that is what is unique about the sport of cross country. The kids leave it all out there every race. Our girls ran great. It's nice to have a front-runner contending to win."
Dubuque Hempstead ran away with the Bruess team title, outdistancing Dubuque Wahlert 33-73. Monroe finished third (122), just ahead of Albany (126). Madison Edgewood, the defending Badger South Conference champion, placed fifth (135).
Monroe junior Jordan Hirsbrunner finished 27th (23:54.6), and junior Emma Peterson claimed 29th (24:00.5), followed by junior Allyce Fahrney who was 30th (24:03.3). Monroe senior Kayla Einbeck rounded out the top five for the Cheesemakers, finishing 32nd (24:07.1).
Kaderly, who ran for Monroe last year but moved to Albany, wasn't satisfied with her debut with the Comets.
"I wanted to break 21 minutes," Kaderly said. "I was just short of that goal. Despite the heat and hydration, I feel like this was a good first meet for the team. I feel like it can only get better from here on. The team treats me like a family member. They are all talented. They make me feel like I'm at home."
New Glarus-Monticello freshman Gabbie Sawyer placed 18th (22:40.7), and senior Ashley Risley was 21st (22:56.6).
Albany freshman Kirsten Oliver finished 24th (23:23.9), and freshman teammate Megan Anderson placed 25th (23:44.2). Albany sophomore Emma Guenther, a state qualifier last year, finished 33rd (24:10.7), and sophomore Madeline Halverson was 39th (25:32.9).
Guenther is coming off a track season in which she battled fatigue and burnout, Brewer said.
"She's a very talented runner," Brewer said. "She has to keep competing and have confidence. She is used to being one of the front-runners. We want her to be at her best at the end of the season. No one will remember what she did at the beginning of the season, but they will remember October."
Pecatonica-Argyle junior Josie Penniston finished 41st overall (25:21.6), and junior Adriana Johnson was 56th (26:38.6).
The other top 50 runners for the Glarner Knights were senior Jane Thurow, 36th (24:53.5); junior Kelly Fredrickson, 41st (25:40.2); and freshman Emily Streiff, 43rd (25:46.2).
The Monroe girls will compete at the Darlington Invitational Saturday. Hirsbrunner is considering giving some runners a break after a tough race in the heat.
"They probably won't be running them," Hirsbrunner said. "We look at it like we are making an omelet, and we want it to be ready for October."
Meier battled to fourth place in the 5,000-meter race in a time of 21 minutes, 8.3 seconds at Twining Park. Belleville junior Noelle Marie won the race (20:40.7). Albany junior Ciara Kaderly finished fifth (21:15.7).
"I think Rachel took it personally when people said Monroe needed a No. 1 runner," Monroe coach Dave Hirsbrunner said. "She told the coaches she would be that No. 1 runner. She took it personal and showed it today. Rachel Meier has filled the shoes of a solid No. 1 runner."
Meier collapsed after the race and was taken by ambulance to the Monroe Clinic.
"I'm hoping it's just dehydration," Hirsbrunner said. "There were too many ambulance rides, but that is what is unique about the sport of cross country. The kids leave it all out there every race. Our girls ran great. It's nice to have a front-runner contending to win."
Dubuque Hempstead ran away with the Bruess team title, outdistancing Dubuque Wahlert 33-73. Monroe finished third (122), just ahead of Albany (126). Madison Edgewood, the defending Badger South Conference champion, placed fifth (135).
Monroe junior Jordan Hirsbrunner finished 27th (23:54.6), and junior Emma Peterson claimed 29th (24:00.5), followed by junior Allyce Fahrney who was 30th (24:03.3). Monroe senior Kayla Einbeck rounded out the top five for the Cheesemakers, finishing 32nd (24:07.1).
Kaderly, who ran for Monroe last year but moved to Albany, wasn't satisfied with her debut with the Comets.
"I wanted to break 21 minutes," Kaderly said. "I was just short of that goal. Despite the heat and hydration, I feel like this was a good first meet for the team. I feel like it can only get better from here on. The team treats me like a family member. They are all talented. They make me feel like I'm at home."
New Glarus-Monticello freshman Gabbie Sawyer placed 18th (22:40.7), and senior Ashley Risley was 21st (22:56.6).
Albany freshman Kirsten Oliver finished 24th (23:23.9), and freshman teammate Megan Anderson placed 25th (23:44.2). Albany sophomore Emma Guenther, a state qualifier last year, finished 33rd (24:10.7), and sophomore Madeline Halverson was 39th (25:32.9).
Guenther is coming off a track season in which she battled fatigue and burnout, Brewer said.
"She's a very talented runner," Brewer said. "She has to keep competing and have confidence. She is used to being one of the front-runners. We want her to be at her best at the end of the season. No one will remember what she did at the beginning of the season, but they will remember October."
Pecatonica-Argyle junior Josie Penniston finished 41st overall (25:21.6), and junior Adriana Johnson was 56th (26:38.6).
The other top 50 runners for the Glarner Knights were senior Jane Thurow, 36th (24:53.5); junior Kelly Fredrickson, 41st (25:40.2); and freshman Emily Streiff, 43rd (25:46.2).
The Monroe girls will compete at the Darlington Invitational Saturday. Hirsbrunner is considering giving some runners a break after a tough race in the heat.
"They probably won't be running them," Hirsbrunner said. "We look at it like we are making an omelet, and we want it to be ready for October."
