Experiencing Cross Country State

By Justin Hermann

Success is a relative term. Most teams would love to win a conference championship and dream about going to the State meet. This year, all the hard work paid off as both the girls and boys teams went to State, and the guys also won the Rock Valley Conference (5th straight). The girls earned second at sectionals, falling behind the Prairie Du Chien, while the guys bested Monroe for second place to earn their spot at State.

There were high expectations as the teams headed off to State. First year coach and math teacher Kent Miehe knew that each team “realized how good they were and what they were capable of achieving.” McFarland’s expectation for success made State a bittersweet experience for the runners, as ther girls placed 16th, and the boys 6th.

“It was fine,” said sophomore Ella Ceelen. Even though the runners and coaches felt disappointed about the results, there were still reasons to be proud. McFarland was one of 17 teams out of the 400 in Wisconsin to send both of their teams to the state meet. “I guess I’m a big guy now,” said junior Andrew Pahnke, who finished 5th. Coach Miehe reflected on the season saying, “The end of the season did not end according to plan. Each team wanted to have a better showing at the state meet.”

The weather on the day of the race was not ideal. Even though it was October, and the week before had seen temperatures in the 70’s, the runners face a 30 degree day. “Weather is not an excuse, everyone had to deal with the weather,” said head coach Andrew Garvey.

Senior runner Isaac McNurlen was at the state meet as a spectator. He was cheering for McFarland, but the excitement of the State meet pulled him to root for other teams as well. The crazy energized atmosphere made it an event worth watching. “Regardless of who your team is, it’s always a unique experience to see the best in the state race against each other. My favorite part is the silence right before the start, the cheering after the gun goes off, and then the stampede of coaches and fans running to their next spot on the course.”

Varsity seniors Katie Hacker and Sam Marrese-Wheeler will be leaving big spikes to fill, as well will the rest of the senior class and other departing runners: Josh Murwin, Kayla Mahoney, Isaac McNurlen, Ben Sjodin, Carter Kreft, and New Zealander Hannah Patton. These runners leave the program to a promising group of returning athletes. “It was fun to go out with this group of guys,” said Sam Marrese-Wheeler.

Even though the State Meet may have not gone the way the athletes wanted it to, the season had nothing to indicate that it was anything less than a success.