DARLINGTON - Quinn Cullen stood as a spectator as the Darlington boys cross country team won the WIAA Division 3 state championship last year, and his sister Claire Cullen had her lead role as a runner reduced to a cheerleading role.
Quinn suffered a major iron deficiency that wiped out his cross country season last year, and Claire suffered a stress fracture in her femur that robbed her of a chance to compete at state.
"It was hard to be there and not running since I did the last two years," Quinn said. "Last year was really hard just to be an alternate. One of my goals was to get back to the state meet. I think we have a good shot of winning the state championship."
Both are healthy and back running again, looking to lead the No. 1-ranked Darlington boys and top-ranked Darlington girls teams to state titles at the 100th annual WIAA Division 3 state meet on Saturday in Wisconsin Rapids.
"It's definitely a redemption moment for both of us," Claire said. "Coach always talks about overcoming adversity. It's special to have my brother on the boys team. It means a lot to me. I know for Quinn it's really special because it's his senior year.
"We have all worked so hard. Our team is so special. We really don't pay much attention to the rankings. Anything can happen. We will go out and run our race and see what happens."
The Cullens have been making things happen with their legs for several years. Quinn and Claire, a junior, each ran cross country in middle school, and they would compare mile times they ran in physical education class.
"We always competed," Claire said. "It's a sibling rivalry."
Quinn's battle with an iron deficiency took a toll on his family, as they searched for answers. After running a lot of summer miles before last season, Quinn wasn't seeing the payoff with his times.
"Coming into the season I was running slower races," Quinn said. "I didn't think that was normal. I wasn't running faster times. Coach told me to go to the doctor and get my iron checked out."
And with the visit to the doctor came the answer. Quinn started taking an iron pill over last winter and spring, and he has rebounded to have a state-caliber season.
On his road back, Quinn had an added supporter in Claire. The siblings leaned on each other during their individual recoveries.
"We kind of motivated each other," Quinn said. "We knew we could get back after tough years. We just got out and ran and gave each other things we could work on."
Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said the Redbird boys, on paper, are probably the favorite to repeat as state champions. The biggest threat to the Redbirds may be Boscobel, which the Redbirds edged 35-44 for the sectional title last week. Chequamegon returns five runners after finishing sixth at state last year, and Marathon could also be a contender.
"I think Boscobel is definitely the team to beat," Miehe said. "I think we are two of the best teams in the state. Anyone that gets to the state meet has a chance to win it."
Darlington junior Tyson Miehe is the returning individual champion. He may be considered a favorite to repeat, but last year's runner-up Kevin Ryan - a junior from Kenosha St. Joseph - should contend again, as should junior Andrew Studinski of Marathon who placed fourth last year. Other possible challengers for the individual crown after racing to sectional titles are senior Sam Wensink of Oostburg; juniors Darin Lau of Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran, Sasha Maro of Mondovi, and Jacob Ohnstad of Grantsburg; and freshman Luke Weber of Lourdes Academy.
In the girls Division 3 race, Oshkosh Lourdes Academy is looking to win its third straight title, with four returning runners from last year's championship team. Five other teams in the top seven last year return with loads of state experience to challenge for the crown. Cedar Grove-Belgium, Living Word Lutheran and Spring Valley have almost their entire cast with six of their runners back after placing fourth, fifth and seventh, respectively. Darlington, which finished third last year, and Edgar, which took sixth, have five runners back that competed in the meet last year.
"We should be in the thick of things," Miehe said. "They are very focused and know what they want."
Quinn suffered a major iron deficiency that wiped out his cross country season last year, and Claire suffered a stress fracture in her femur that robbed her of a chance to compete at state.
"It was hard to be there and not running since I did the last two years," Quinn said. "Last year was really hard just to be an alternate. One of my goals was to get back to the state meet. I think we have a good shot of winning the state championship."
Both are healthy and back running again, looking to lead the No. 1-ranked Darlington boys and top-ranked Darlington girls teams to state titles at the 100th annual WIAA Division 3 state meet on Saturday in Wisconsin Rapids.
"It's definitely a redemption moment for both of us," Claire said. "Coach always talks about overcoming adversity. It's special to have my brother on the boys team. It means a lot to me. I know for Quinn it's really special because it's his senior year.
"We have all worked so hard. Our team is so special. We really don't pay much attention to the rankings. Anything can happen. We will go out and run our race and see what happens."
The Cullens have been making things happen with their legs for several years. Quinn and Claire, a junior, each ran cross country in middle school, and they would compare mile times they ran in physical education class.
"We always competed," Claire said. "It's a sibling rivalry."
Quinn's battle with an iron deficiency took a toll on his family, as they searched for answers. After running a lot of summer miles before last season, Quinn wasn't seeing the payoff with his times.
"Coming into the season I was running slower races," Quinn said. "I didn't think that was normal. I wasn't running faster times. Coach told me to go to the doctor and get my iron checked out."
And with the visit to the doctor came the answer. Quinn started taking an iron pill over last winter and spring, and he has rebounded to have a state-caliber season.
On his road back, Quinn had an added supporter in Claire. The siblings leaned on each other during their individual recoveries.
"We kind of motivated each other," Quinn said. "We knew we could get back after tough years. We just got out and ran and gave each other things we could work on."
Darlington coach Arnie Miehe said the Redbird boys, on paper, are probably the favorite to repeat as state champions. The biggest threat to the Redbirds may be Boscobel, which the Redbirds edged 35-44 for the sectional title last week. Chequamegon returns five runners after finishing sixth at state last year, and Marathon could also be a contender.
"I think Boscobel is definitely the team to beat," Miehe said. "I think we are two of the best teams in the state. Anyone that gets to the state meet has a chance to win it."
Darlington junior Tyson Miehe is the returning individual champion. He may be considered a favorite to repeat, but last year's runner-up Kevin Ryan - a junior from Kenosha St. Joseph - should contend again, as should junior Andrew Studinski of Marathon who placed fourth last year. Other possible challengers for the individual crown after racing to sectional titles are senior Sam Wensink of Oostburg; juniors Darin Lau of Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran, Sasha Maro of Mondovi, and Jacob Ohnstad of Grantsburg; and freshman Luke Weber of Lourdes Academy.
In the girls Division 3 race, Oshkosh Lourdes Academy is looking to win its third straight title, with four returning runners from last year's championship team. Five other teams in the top seven last year return with loads of state experience to challenge for the crown. Cedar Grove-Belgium, Living Word Lutheran and Spring Valley have almost their entire cast with six of their runners back after placing fourth, fifth and seventh, respectively. Darlington, which finished third last year, and Edgar, which took sixth, have five runners back that competed in the meet last year.
"We should be in the thick of things," Miehe said. "They are very focused and know what they want."
