DARLINGTON - The Darlington boys cross country team is looking to run to a fourth straight state championship Saturday.
The Redbirds enter the WIAA Division 3 state meet as the state's No. 1 ranked team and in the mix for a state title Saturday in Wisconsin Rapids.
"In my mind I don't say we are defending a state championship," Darlington junior Jaden Komprood said. "We are going up there to win the title like we have never done it before."
The Redbirds have four of their top five runners back after winning a third straight state championship last year.
"When you get to state there are about five teams with a legitimate shot at it," Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said of winning the state title. "We are one of those five. Both Darlington and Albany are in the mix."
Among the other six teams finishing in the top 10 in 2013 and returning for another run at the title are Chequamegon, who returns four runners after finishing second last season; Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran, which placed third; Marathon fourth; McDonell Central fifth; Sheboygan Lutheran eighth; and Brookwood ninth.
"Our No. 3-5 runners will be key," Miehe said. "We need them to finish ahead of a lot of other teams' No. 3 runners."
Darlington senior Thomas Schultz, Connor Hackett, Sean Barbee and Blake Cwynar each ran at state last year.
"They know what to expect and they have the confidence," Miehe said.
Boscobel junior Dakota Kauffman is the favorite to win the individual state title after he took fifth last year. Komprood took ninth last year, and Chequamegon's Kevin Koski was 10th.
Albany coach Tony Brewer said the Comets have big goals for the state meet with his four top runners, including senior Aaron Johnson, senior Brennan Bloedel, junior Tyler Dahl and junior Josh Little. Johnson finished 25th and Bloedel was 29th at state last year.
"We rely on our top four," Brewer said. "We will need Aaron, Brennan and Tyler in the top 20 to have the top team. Isaac Halverson was our No. 1 runner at conference. We will need him to have a great race and then we will be in the mix. You prepare to run great up there. Whatever happens, happens."
Albany freshman Emma Guenther and junior Sydnee are excited about making their first trips to state.
"I'm just so excited," Guenther said. "It's been our goal all year to make it together. We just motivate each other in practices. I will try to get my time down more. I just want to try to keep pace and run the best I can."
Woyak also has high expectations for the state meet.
"I just want to keep her (Guenther) in contact," Woyak said. "We want to just get the experience down.
"I'm just so excited to go to state with my best friend. I think Emma is what kept me motivated. It has been my goal all year. It will mean so much more to go together."
The Redbirds enter the WIAA Division 3 state meet as the state's No. 1 ranked team and in the mix for a state title Saturday in Wisconsin Rapids.
"In my mind I don't say we are defending a state championship," Darlington junior Jaden Komprood said. "We are going up there to win the title like we have never done it before."
The Redbirds have four of their top five runners back after winning a third straight state championship last year.
"When you get to state there are about five teams with a legitimate shot at it," Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said of winning the state title. "We are one of those five. Both Darlington and Albany are in the mix."
Among the other six teams finishing in the top 10 in 2013 and returning for another run at the title are Chequamegon, who returns four runners after finishing second last season; Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran, which placed third; Marathon fourth; McDonell Central fifth; Sheboygan Lutheran eighth; and Brookwood ninth.
"Our No. 3-5 runners will be key," Miehe said. "We need them to finish ahead of a lot of other teams' No. 3 runners."
Darlington senior Thomas Schultz, Connor Hackett, Sean Barbee and Blake Cwynar each ran at state last year.
"They know what to expect and they have the confidence," Miehe said.
Boscobel junior Dakota Kauffman is the favorite to win the individual state title after he took fifth last year. Komprood took ninth last year, and Chequamegon's Kevin Koski was 10th.
Albany coach Tony Brewer said the Comets have big goals for the state meet with his four top runners, including senior Aaron Johnson, senior Brennan Bloedel, junior Tyler Dahl and junior Josh Little. Johnson finished 25th and Bloedel was 29th at state last year.
"We rely on our top four," Brewer said. "We will need Aaron, Brennan and Tyler in the top 20 to have the top team. Isaac Halverson was our No. 1 runner at conference. We will need him to have a great race and then we will be in the mix. You prepare to run great up there. Whatever happens, happens."
Albany freshman Emma Guenther and junior Sydnee are excited about making their first trips to state.
"I'm just so excited," Guenther said. "It's been our goal all year to make it together. We just motivate each other in practices. I will try to get my time down more. I just want to try to keep pace and run the best I can."
Woyak also has high expectations for the state meet.
"I just want to keep her (Guenther) in contact," Woyak said. "We want to just get the experience down.
"I'm just so excited to go to state with my best friend. I think Emma is what kept me motivated. It has been my goal all year. It will mean so much more to go together."
