WISCONSIN RAPIDS - New Glarus-Monticello enters the WIAA Division 2 girls state cross country meet at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids Saturday as one of southern Wisconsin's best kept secrets, while Darlington's girls team is making a return trip to the Division 3 state level.
"I feel like they were in the shadow of the boys for quite a bit this season," New Glarus-Monticello coach Steve Wehrley said. "I think they were underestimated. We were underestimating them. Not any longer. We know how good they can be."
The Knights are led by senior Kelsey Bernet, who will run in her fourth state meet. Bernet finished 21st at state last year and sixth as a sophomore.
"The girls take a lead from Kelsey," Wehrley said.
The Knights, who last qualified for state as a team in 2006, have received big contributions from a young core of runners, including Madeline Brunner, sophomore LouAnn Judd and freshman Breanna Sargent, but also have the experience of senior Rachel Miller.
"We have not seen all seven girls run their best race on the same day," Wehrley said.
Darlington is no stranger to the WIAA Division 3 state meet in Wisconsin Rapids. The Redbirds finished eighth at state in 2008. However, Darlington returns three runners who ran on last year's team, including senior Olivia Wedig, junior Taryn Evenstad and sophomore Amy Jorgenson. All three finished in the top 90 at state last year. Wedig finished 63rd followed by Jorgenson (76th) and Evenstad (87th).
"I absolutely want to improve on last year's finish," Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said. "The crew has always had a way of getting it done. I would like to be up in that mix."
The Redbirds have been battling sickness the past two weeks and may be missing several runners at state. Wedig, Taryn Evenstad and Harley Douglas didn't run in the Darlington sectional Oct. 23. The status of some runners remains uncertain.
"We will have to make a decision if they are healthy enough," Miehe said about several runners. "That's really unfortunate," he said of the lingering sickness in some runners. That's the way it goes."
Darlington won their own sectional by one point because Tatum Evenstad raced ahead of several Boscobel runners down the stretch. All five of the Redbirds' top five runners were freshmen and sophomores.
"We have freshmen gals who are fearless," Miehe said.
With 1,000 meters to go in the sectional, he said, the Redbirds were 17 points behind for the title.
"They dug in and did what had to be done," Miehe said.
"I feel like they were in the shadow of the boys for quite a bit this season," New Glarus-Monticello coach Steve Wehrley said. "I think they were underestimated. We were underestimating them. Not any longer. We know how good they can be."
The Knights are led by senior Kelsey Bernet, who will run in her fourth state meet. Bernet finished 21st at state last year and sixth as a sophomore.
"The girls take a lead from Kelsey," Wehrley said.
The Knights, who last qualified for state as a team in 2006, have received big contributions from a young core of runners, including Madeline Brunner, sophomore LouAnn Judd and freshman Breanna Sargent, but also have the experience of senior Rachel Miller.
"We have not seen all seven girls run their best race on the same day," Wehrley said.
Darlington is no stranger to the WIAA Division 3 state meet in Wisconsin Rapids. The Redbirds finished eighth at state in 2008. However, Darlington returns three runners who ran on last year's team, including senior Olivia Wedig, junior Taryn Evenstad and sophomore Amy Jorgenson. All three finished in the top 90 at state last year. Wedig finished 63rd followed by Jorgenson (76th) and Evenstad (87th).
"I absolutely want to improve on last year's finish," Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said. "The crew has always had a way of getting it done. I would like to be up in that mix."
The Redbirds have been battling sickness the past two weeks and may be missing several runners at state. Wedig, Taryn Evenstad and Harley Douglas didn't run in the Darlington sectional Oct. 23. The status of some runners remains uncertain.
"We will have to make a decision if they are healthy enough," Miehe said about several runners. "That's really unfortunate," he said of the lingering sickness in some runners. That's the way it goes."
Darlington won their own sectional by one point because Tatum Evenstad raced ahead of several Boscobel runners down the stretch. All five of the Redbirds' top five runners were freshmen and sophomores.
"We have freshmen gals who are fearless," Miehe said.
With 1,000 meters to go in the sectional, he said, the Redbirds were 17 points behind for the title.
"They dug in and did what had to be done," Miehe said.
