Division 1 Girls
Qualifying Teams:
Hamilton | Wisconsin Lutheran | Franklin | Green Bay Preble | Pewaukee | Neenah | Kenosha Indian Trail | Madison West | Brookfield East | Mukwonago | De Pere | Brookfield Central | Holmen | Monona Grove | DeForest | Kaukauna
Mlodik Returns for Senior Run at Repeat Title; Teams Look Ahead to a Tight Competition
After finishing runner-up in 2022, Slinger returns to the state championships in pursuit of a title. Despite losing lead runner in 2023 grad Summer Schuster, Slinger comes back strong with Schuster's sister Piper stepping in to resume the role. Supported by Violet Schulteis, Olivia Helmle, Ava Dziedzic and Bailey Schmoldt, the team has a shot at capping a successful season with a state crown.
Madison West, who ran their season with a strong team approach, will also take a grab at the gold. The team took home first at the Midwest Invitational, ahead of fellow qualifying team, Neenah.
Brookfield East, Neenah, and Kaukauna (who placed third in 2022) bring strong teams as well, and will be in the mix for podium finishes.
Along with a strong team competition, the D1 championships will feature a fight for the individual title and runner-up places, with defending champ Sara Mlodik, Middleton's Olivia Chellevold and Whitefish Bay's Lily Kriegel each making solo trips to the state meet.
D. C. Everest's Sara Mlodik claimed last year's title in 18:06, and went on to see significant post-season success at the regional and national level. The University of Wisconsin Commit ran a PR of 17:34 at the Team Heartland Regional Championships and placed 15th on the national stage at the Champs National XC Championships. Mlodik went head-to-head with fellow top individual title contender Olivia Chellevold at the PT Timing Night Race, taking the victory in the early-season matchup.
In a 2022 state championship race packed with upperclassmen, Chellevold placed 9th in 19:04, Earlier this season, the now-sophomore finished runner-up at the Midwest Invitational in a personal best of 17:50, against some of the state's best, including D2 contender Abigail Sadler.
Muskego sophomore Ella Anschutz returns from a successful freshman season running consistently improved times year-over-year, with a current personal best of 18:11. Last year, Anschutz placed 6th individually, leading Muskego to a team title. She closed her freshman year with a 1600m state victory.
Monona Grove junior Mackenzie Babcock will make her third trip to Wisconsin Rapids, following third and fourth-place championship finishes in 2021 and 2022, respectively. As a freshman, Babcock ran the 15th fastest time in state course history in 18:17.