PLATTEVILLE - New Glarus-Monticello junior Kelsey Bernet celebrated her 17th birthday in style Saturday, finishing second at the WIAA Division 2 Platteville sectional to qualify for state for the second straight year.
After the race at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Bernet's teammates and cross country fans serenaded her with a version of "Happy Birthday."
"It's an accomplishment," said Bernet, who ran the 4,000-meter soggy course in a personal record 15 minutes, 15 seconds. "I was hoping to get a 15:17 since it was my birthday. I worked all season long to go (to state). It's amazing."
Bernet, who finished sixth at state last year, has bigger expectations this year.
"I'm hoping top five," Bernet said.
In cross country, patience doesn't always come easy.
Brodhead-Juda sophomore Shannon Klein, who finished ninth (15:49), edged Mon-roe junior Tess Seichter by three seconds for the last individual state qualifying spot.
Seichter, who took 10th with a time of 15:52, had to play the waiting game to see if she was one of five individual state qualifiers.
"Waiting is the hardest thing ever," Seichter said.
Channeling emotions at a big race proved challenging.
"There was a chance," Seichter said about qualifying for state. "I got really nervous, though, and the whole team knew that. Coach Jefferson wanted me to go out hard that first mile. He wanted me to stay with Mackler of Mount Horeb that first mile. That was really hard, because I didn't know what she looked like."
Monroe coach Brian Jefferson said he talked to the team about starting aggressive and pushing the pace.
"She (Seichter) didn't get out as quick as I wanted her to," Jefferson said. "She pushed the pace more than she did in the past. If you don't push the pace in this meet, you are going home. Everyone wants to be competitive when you have a chance to move on to the biggest meet of the year."
New Glarus-Monticello finished sixth overall (149 points), 30 points ahead of the Cheesemakers. Monroe sophomore Molly Hlubek took 28th (16:47) and Rachel Rogerson finished 30th (16:48).
Monroe juniors Tessa Frutiger and Stephanie Wyss finished 49th and 72nd, respectively.
"Top five was definitely what we were shooting for," Jefferson said.
Now Bernet and Klein gear up for the state meet Saturday at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.
New Glarus-Monticello coach Steve Wehrley was excited Bernet extended the Knights' streak of qualifying at least one runner for state to 15 years.
"I don't want to go there as a spectator," Wehrley said. "She is one of the most instinctive runners we have ever had."
After the race at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Bernet's teammates and cross country fans serenaded her with a version of "Happy Birthday."
"It's an accomplishment," said Bernet, who ran the 4,000-meter soggy course in a personal record 15 minutes, 15 seconds. "I was hoping to get a 15:17 since it was my birthday. I worked all season long to go (to state). It's amazing."
Bernet, who finished sixth at state last year, has bigger expectations this year.
"I'm hoping top five," Bernet said.
In cross country, patience doesn't always come easy.
Brodhead-Juda sophomore Shannon Klein, who finished ninth (15:49), edged Mon-roe junior Tess Seichter by three seconds for the last individual state qualifying spot.
Seichter, who took 10th with a time of 15:52, had to play the waiting game to see if she was one of five individual state qualifiers.
"Waiting is the hardest thing ever," Seichter said.
Channeling emotions at a big race proved challenging.
"There was a chance," Seichter said about qualifying for state. "I got really nervous, though, and the whole team knew that. Coach Jefferson wanted me to go out hard that first mile. He wanted me to stay with Mackler of Mount Horeb that first mile. That was really hard, because I didn't know what she looked like."
Monroe coach Brian Jefferson said he talked to the team about starting aggressive and pushing the pace.
"She (Seichter) didn't get out as quick as I wanted her to," Jefferson said. "She pushed the pace more than she did in the past. If you don't push the pace in this meet, you are going home. Everyone wants to be competitive when you have a chance to move on to the biggest meet of the year."
New Glarus-Monticello finished sixth overall (149 points), 30 points ahead of the Cheesemakers. Monroe sophomore Molly Hlubek took 28th (16:47) and Rachel Rogerson finished 30th (16:48).
Monroe juniors Tessa Frutiger and Stephanie Wyss finished 49th and 72nd, respectively.
"Top five was definitely what we were shooting for," Jefferson said.
Now Bernet and Klein gear up for the state meet Saturday at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.
New Glarus-Monticello coach Steve Wehrley was excited Bernet extended the Knights' streak of qualifying at least one runner for state to 15 years.
"I don't want to go there as a spectator," Wehrley said. "She is one of the most instinctive runners we have ever had."
