Athlete of the Week

Week 10

Robin Schmidt... ”Robin went through last season gaining time as the season progressed, not running to

her potential. Mainly due to nagging injuries that haven’t been easily extinguished. Yet this season she

has worked with the coaching staff when it became necessary to combat these injuries with trust and

communication. This has led to a great bounce back season running consistent varsity level times. Had

the conditions been better at the conference meet she might have ran a personal record time. At the

sectional meet she powered up the hills to go from 40th place to finishing in 34th out of 89 varsity

runners. Whether Robin knows it or not, she is an off-season motivator who is a vital component to this

girls team. If the girls are to establish themselves as a dominant force again they will need Robin’s

motivation and leadership to help guide the team forward.”

Jacob Riemer... ”Newcomers to the program don’t always have an instant effect on the team’s placing,

but Jacob has been running on the varsity squad all season long. Proving he belongs time and time

again, especially in his 19:50 5k effort at the home invitational. Not being intimidated by the hills at the

sectional meet, Jacob started the race in 97th place and worked his way down to 84th. Sticking to the

race plan and progressively pushing himself as the race went on. He has made himself a very coachable

athlete which will benefit him immensely in the years to come. The coaching staff looks to Jacob with

great hope, as he is a part of the upcoming new wave of boys that could prove to be a force to be

reckoned with if they get adequate mileage in the off-season and gain necessary speed competing in

track & field.”

Week 9

Rachael Reilly...”Cold temperatures and a longer course than expected had some runners racing out of

their element and focus, not Rachael. Confidently starting the race in a great position passing the first

mile in 6th place Rachael would strongly finish her final mile earning 1st Team All-Conference honors for

the third time in a row running the course in a time of 20:54. An impressive accomplishment already

putting her in elite company with some of the past’s finest Hatchet cross-country girls. Rachael knows

how important her role is on the team and came through helping the girls to finish behind powerhouse

Medford. The coaching staff will be looking for Rachael to spread this confidence and grit to the rest of

her teammates if the girls want to have a shot at the WIAA State Meet.”

Jeremiah Johnson...”Getting a taste of leading the entire junior varsity race for a short time, freshman

Jeremiah Johnson found his stride and his way onto the boys sectional squad. Jeremiah ran the course in

a time of 21:13 to place 2nd overall. A bonafide element to the future of the boys team who has openly

expressed his desire to race at the varsity level. That burning desire is something the coaching staff loves

to hear. We look for Jeremiah to continue pushing himself, leading the young boys' core to new heights

for years to come.”

Week 8

Alli Palmer…“Racing within five seconds of her personal best time, Alli finished in the lead for the lady Hatchets at this past weekend’s home invitational.  Leading her teammates from the start with a 6:27 first mile was a great sight to see.  Ultimately finishing with a time of 21:17 on the new course at Inshalla Country Club.  Some of her best races last year were later in the season and this year is proving to be no different.  A vital ingredient in the push into the postseason is being able to know when you’re ready to take the next step.  The last two races Alli has done just that and the coaching staff looks forward to her helping the girls team make that transition in the final weeks of the season.” 

Gerard Gorell…“A fighter was born at the home invite, you could see it in the freshman’s eyes as he raced.  Nothing was going to slow down Gerard as he clipped at an ever faster pace on the new home course.  Dropping places throughout the race and earning four varsity points he ran a new personal best time of 22:57.  An astonishing improvement of one minute and seven seconds from his previous mark.  Another daunting fact about Gerard is that he has dropped time in every single race he has run.  Gerard has yet to find his wall and in fact may go straight through the season running faster and faster.”  

Week 7

Kambyl Mattke... “Junior Kambyl Mattke is a deceiving teammate. Being one of the friendliest and most

well liked individuals on the team one would not think she would be a fiery competitor. Toe the line and

once that gun goes off she’s about as competitive as they come. Starting the Athens race in 70th place

she passed 10 runners each mile to finish in 50th place. Coming across the line in a seasonal best time of

24:02 earning 42 varsity points. The coaching staff has always enjoyed working with this experienced

Junior and know just how important Kambyl really is to this team both athletically and mentally.”

Elliot O’Connor... “Early to mid season improvement is typically a bonus and not expected due to the

higher mileage training during these periods. Don’t tell this to freshman Elliot O’Connor though, who

has gone from a 27:10 to, just recently at Athens, a new personal record of 21:40 dropping a staggering

five minutes and thirty seconds. Elliot’s in practice effort and respect for the training program have

allowed him to continually learn how to become a much more efficient distance runner. Starting the

Athens invite in 102nd place to finishing 91st proving he follows the body passing mentality of the 2022

squads. The coaching staff looks forward to seeing just how much Elliot can keep improving as he begins

to realize what he’s capable of.”

Week 6

Serena Reinke... “Not very many girls are able to post personal record times their senior year but at the Three Lakes

Invitational co-team captain Serena did it in fine style. Going sub 22 minutes for the 5k course she would clock in at a

21:50 for 10th place. She passed an additional girl each mile and was close to holding pace the entire race. Her

experience at bigger caliber races will be of the utmost importance for this girls team making their final adjustments

heading into the last few regular season races. The coaching staff will look to Serena to keep the nerves and

mentalities of the lady Hatchets on an even keel while they continue to train for their goals.”

Eli Albrent... “Interesting stat lines aren’t common occurrences in the sport of distance running but Eli’s is one to

behold. Starting the season out with a nearly 32 minute 5k and dropping to a 24:11 displays a lot of learning and

self-confidence. Progressively dropping time at every race he has competed in, Eli has found himself moving up

within the Hatchet ranks. Albeit one position but while he and others continue to pull the back of the boys team up it

only makes the team better and more competitive. The coaching staff was excited to see another massive drop in

time and look for Eli and the other freshman boys to continue to push themselves to new heights as their base

mileage and running knowledge increases.”

Week 5

Marie Gorell ... “Marie is one of our steady varsity performers that is always at practice and performs to

the best of her ability. Always looking to improve her time and she did just that at the Smiley Invitational

running her 5k under 24 minutes in a time of 23:38. With the season half way through, the quiet

assassin has already earned her varsity letter and will be a key piece of the girls squad to continue the

push towards the season ending tournament schedule.”

Sam Zastrow... “Another consistent competitor, Sam has shown time and time again that he’s one of the

most reliable components of the boys varsity squad. Being the second finisher on the team at every

single race hovering in the low 19’s for his 5k’s. If the boys team is to have a successful conference meet

and potentially make some noise at the sectional meet it will need to begin with Sam. The coaching staff

has confidence that when it matters most, Sam will still be there performing at his very best, as he has

done every single race.”

Week 4

AOW-Girls-Halle Derleth... “Beginning the race as planned with several of her teammates Halle got off to

a comfortable start before beginning her merciless attack upon the unsuspecting runners ahead of her.

She went from 21st place at the 1 mile to 13th when the dust settled, or in Fall Creek’s case, when the

grassy field became a mudhole. Aware of the situation the team was in late in the race she led the

charge to pass a few key opponents. Halle’s grit and determination have been key traits of her races and

the coaches are excited to see her pushing the other half of the girl’s varsity team to new heights.”

AOW-Boys-Presley Gutbrod... “Presley ran a seasonal best time of 19:20, a fantastic feat seeing the

conditions these kids were racing in. Given more distance all the coaches were convinced that Presley

could have taken the entire field for the first time in his career, falling a little short to take 3rd place.

Finishing his final mile faster than either of his previous two miles, which is a rare achievement. One in

which the coaching staff will look for Presley to learn how to push himself earlier in the race, which could

lead to a new personal record and maybe a first place finish.”

Week 3

AOW-Girls-Elizabeth “Izzy” Lee... “Izzy started the race trailing our main girls pack by a few yards and

despite coming across the mile faster than expected hung on and continued to push. She would go from

22nd to 15th place through the 5,000 Meter race. Her positive mental attitude both at practices and

meets has allowed her to take it all in stride and be a huge positive influence on her teammates. A truly

vital component to the make-up of our girls team and their success thus far this season."

AOW-Boys-Taje Casey... “Another senior captain leading the way by example was Taje, with his 5th place

team finish solidifying his varsity position. He also masterfully demonstrated the team’s racing strategy

starting the race in 50th place and passing competitors until he found himself in 32nd overall. Resulting

in a seasonal best time of 21:12. Every team needs a teammate who keeps the team loose and relaxed,

throughout these first three weeks of high mileage training he has done just that. Allowing the team to

word hard when necessary while dialing it back when it’s appropriate."

Week 2

AOW-Girls-Abi Micke... “A freshman newcomer to the program, Abi came into Rhinelander with an

understanding of her running ability and our game plan. She started the race in 77nd place at the mile

and got down to 58th upon crossing the 5k finish. Improving her time from the Alumni Scrimmage by a

whole minute and eighteen seconds is no fluke. Abi's form has greatly improved in less than just two

weeks of training, and the coaching staff is greatly looking forward to what awaits for her future in

cross-country running.”

AOW-Boys-Bruce Peetz... “Another freshman newcomer that pushed himself to a new height. Starting

the race in a quicker pace than practiced, Bruce found his limit but didn't let it stop him from running a

seasonal best and personal record time of 24:54. This was a fifty-four second improvement from his

time at Alumni Scrimmage. The coaching staff is excited to see such effort and progress out of one of

the program's youngest."

Week 1

Girls-Morgan Hansmann... “Starting the season with base mileage and goals is something the

coaching staff hopes for every upperclassman. Morgan met these expectations and more,

arriving to Bond Falls Cross-Country camp thoroughly ready and it showed. She paced all girls,

every run at camp and proceeded to lead the charge at the Alumni Scrimmage with a time of

21:15. Setting a shining example for all team members. The final season of this excellent

runner and co-team captain is guaranteed to be fantastic due to her drive and understanding of

the sport.”

Boys-Ty Anthes... “Improvement in character and ability year over year is a rare find in

student-athletes. But look no further as one of our boys' senior captains, Ty has done just that.

Setting the bar and holding his teammates accountable as early as this summer has been his

trademark this season. Commanding the team alongside the other senior captains Ty has been

of huge help to the coaching staff and his teammates. The mileage he has logged this

off-season mixed with good workouts in-season will surely continue his ever steady

improvement, which has already been evident in his Alumni Scrimmage time of 20:50

compared to the previous year of 21:44. A standout student-athlete to watch this season, no

doubt."