DARLINGTON - If the Darlington Invitational on Saturday is any preview, the race for the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League championship between Darlington and Albany may come down to the No. 5 runner in October.
The Darlington girls cross country team edged Albany 56-62 for the team title at the Darlington Invitational.
The Redbirds had four of the top 11 runners and were led by sophomore Reghan Komprood who finished sixth place (22:06.6). Belleville junior Noelle Marie won the 5,000-meter race (19:41.9) and Albany junior Ciara Kaderly took second (20:34.8).
"I was pleasantly surprised with the top group of three we had," Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said. "I could see it coming down to the last 100 yards in the conference and sectional. They really went out and hung together to the end."
Darlington sophomore Erin Wolf captured seventh (22:13.9) and junior teammate Paige Schilling took eighth (22:25.8). Albany freshman Kirsten Oliver finished ninth (22:33.8) and sophomore teammate Emma Guenther was 10th (22:36.1). Darlington junior Emma Crist took 11th (22:45.6) and sophomore Meghan Douglas was 25th to round out the scoring for the Redbirds.
Albany freshman Megan Anderson took 14th overall (22:59.5) and sophomore Madeline Halverson finished 30th (24:12.1).
Douglas for the Redbirds finished five spots ahead of Anderson in her first year of running on the varsity. The race also marked Douglas' first race.
"I told her (Douglas) this may be her toughest race," Miehe said. "She will gain more confidence and really move up as the season goes on."
Monroe didn't have enough runners compete to place in the final standings and Pecatonica-Argyle took sixth (186) in the 11-team meet. The Cheesemakers rested 12 of their 19 runners for various reasons. The seven girls who did run competed in the junior varsity race.
Pecatonica-Argyle junior Josie Penniston took 16th (23:10.7) to lead the Vikings. Senior teammate Samantha Erickson finished 31st (24:21.2) and senior teammate Hannah James was 36th (24:47.6).
Monroe's Katie Symons ran a personal best 23:49 to take second in the JV race.
"She is looking better and better every day in practice," Monroe coach Dave Hirsbrunner said of Symons. "She is becoming a confident racer. She is going to contribute to our varsity in the very near future."
The Darlington girls cross country team edged Albany 56-62 for the team title at the Darlington Invitational.
The Redbirds had four of the top 11 runners and were led by sophomore Reghan Komprood who finished sixth place (22:06.6). Belleville junior Noelle Marie won the 5,000-meter race (19:41.9) and Albany junior Ciara Kaderly took second (20:34.8).
"I was pleasantly surprised with the top group of three we had," Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said. "I could see it coming down to the last 100 yards in the conference and sectional. They really went out and hung together to the end."
Darlington sophomore Erin Wolf captured seventh (22:13.9) and junior teammate Paige Schilling took eighth (22:25.8). Albany freshman Kirsten Oliver finished ninth (22:33.8) and sophomore teammate Emma Guenther was 10th (22:36.1). Darlington junior Emma Crist took 11th (22:45.6) and sophomore Meghan Douglas was 25th to round out the scoring for the Redbirds.
Albany freshman Megan Anderson took 14th overall (22:59.5) and sophomore Madeline Halverson finished 30th (24:12.1).
Douglas for the Redbirds finished five spots ahead of Anderson in her first year of running on the varsity. The race also marked Douglas' first race.
"I told her (Douglas) this may be her toughest race," Miehe said. "She will gain more confidence and really move up as the season goes on."
Monroe didn't have enough runners compete to place in the final standings and Pecatonica-Argyle took sixth (186) in the 11-team meet. The Cheesemakers rested 12 of their 19 runners for various reasons. The seven girls who did run competed in the junior varsity race.
Pecatonica-Argyle junior Josie Penniston took 16th (23:10.7) to lead the Vikings. Senior teammate Samantha Erickson finished 31st (24:21.2) and senior teammate Hannah James was 36th (24:47.6).
Monroe's Katie Symons ran a personal best 23:49 to take second in the JV race.
"She is looking better and better every day in practice," Monroe coach Dave Hirsbrunner said of Symons. "She is becoming a confident racer. She is going to contribute to our varsity in the very near future."
