DARLINGTON - Its members may be younger and have less experience than last year, but the Redbirds boys cross country team is already ahead of last year's state championship pace after winning the Darlington Invitational Saturday.
Darlington, the defending WIAA Division 3 state champions, ran away with the title by placing four runners in the top seven. Darlington junior Tyson Miehe won the race with a time of 16 minutes, 15 seconds. Senior Quinn Cullen finished third with a time of 17:15. Sophomore Thomas Schultz took sixth (17:37) and senior Garth Garrison was seventh (17:45).
"They know they are a legit team and have the ability to get the job done," Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said. "That inspires them to keep working hard."
Senior Kyle Schulte took 12th (18:08) and senior Patrick Roche was 14th. Darlington garnered 28 points, well ahead of runner-up Boscobel (56), third-place Dodgeville-Mineral Point (103), fourth-place Albany (117) and fifth-place Monroe (154).
Despite graduating three of last year's top four runners, the Redbirds ran three minutes faster as a team at this year's Invite compared to last year.
"We ran so much faster," Miehe said. "I was pleasantly surprised. Those young and inexperienced kids stepped up and ran faster. In that first race you have a feeling you might be pretty good. You never know until that first race."
The Comets were led by sophomore Brennan Bloedel who finished 11th with a time of 18:01 and sophomore Aaron Johnson who was 15th (18:20). The top runner for the Cheesemakers was senior A.J. Cifuentes who took 18th (18:27).
The Cheesemakers didn't have four of their top runners compete. Monroe coach Dave Hirsbrunner said the Cheesemakers are looking for more combinations and people to use in the top varsity spots.
"We were looking to see who wants to step up and fill some openings," Hirsbrunner said. "We have some question marks right now at our last few varsity positions. We are looking for someone or a group of guys to really go after these spots.
Albany senior Johnny Kallgren took 20th (18:37), senior Kyle Woyak finished 29th (19:04) and freshman Tyler Dahl was 44th (20:01) to round out the top five for the Comets.
Monroe junior Trevor Blum finished 35th (18:50) ahead of senior David Kelly who took 37th (19:17) and freshman Derek Christiansen who took 38th (19:33).
Sophomore Justin Batz finished 44th (19:54) just ahead of Jerod Barenklau (19:54).
"Derek Christiansen made a big step being our fourth guy for the day," Hirsbrunner said. "A.J. ran a good race out front for us. Trevor battled hard at the No. 2 spot."
Darlington, the defending WIAA Division 3 state champions, ran away with the title by placing four runners in the top seven. Darlington junior Tyson Miehe won the race with a time of 16 minutes, 15 seconds. Senior Quinn Cullen finished third with a time of 17:15. Sophomore Thomas Schultz took sixth (17:37) and senior Garth Garrison was seventh (17:45).
"They know they are a legit team and have the ability to get the job done," Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said. "That inspires them to keep working hard."
Senior Kyle Schulte took 12th (18:08) and senior Patrick Roche was 14th. Darlington garnered 28 points, well ahead of runner-up Boscobel (56), third-place Dodgeville-Mineral Point (103), fourth-place Albany (117) and fifth-place Monroe (154).
Despite graduating three of last year's top four runners, the Redbirds ran three minutes faster as a team at this year's Invite compared to last year.
"We ran so much faster," Miehe said. "I was pleasantly surprised. Those young and inexperienced kids stepped up and ran faster. In that first race you have a feeling you might be pretty good. You never know until that first race."
The Comets were led by sophomore Brennan Bloedel who finished 11th with a time of 18:01 and sophomore Aaron Johnson who was 15th (18:20). The top runner for the Cheesemakers was senior A.J. Cifuentes who took 18th (18:27).
The Cheesemakers didn't have four of their top runners compete. Monroe coach Dave Hirsbrunner said the Cheesemakers are looking for more combinations and people to use in the top varsity spots.
"We were looking to see who wants to step up and fill some openings," Hirsbrunner said. "We have some question marks right now at our last few varsity positions. We are looking for someone or a group of guys to really go after these spots.
Albany senior Johnny Kallgren took 20th (18:37), senior Kyle Woyak finished 29th (19:04) and freshman Tyler Dahl was 44th (20:01) to round out the top five for the Comets.
Monroe junior Trevor Blum finished 35th (18:50) ahead of senior David Kelly who took 37th (19:17) and freshman Derek Christiansen who took 38th (19:33).
Sophomore Justin Batz finished 44th (19:54) just ahead of Jerod Barenklau (19:54).
"Derek Christiansen made a big step being our fourth guy for the day," Hirsbrunner said. "A.J. ran a good race out front for us. Trevor battled hard at the No. 2 spot."
