Teams: Albany, Boscobel, Darlington, Fennimore, Iowa-Grant, Southwestern/Benton/Cuba City, Pecatonica/Argyle, Riverdale
Date: Tuesday, October 13th
Location: Ryan Zimpel Memorial Course, Boscobel, WI
Individuals to Watch
BOYS: Back-to-Back Titles for Connolly? - Iowa-Grant senior Nick Connolly looks to defend his title after an impressive 2020 campaign. Taking 14th at the WIAA Division 3 State Meet a year ago, Connolly has finished first in all but one meet he has run this year. The only blemish on his record came at the Darlington Invite, where Darlington sophomore George West barely edged out a victory by two-tenths of a second. The two conference foes didn't race head to head at that meet, however, as it was contested in different groups. Connolly's 16:23 at the Boscobel Dark Park 5k leads the conference this season and could lead him again to another individual conference title. West will be out for this meet due to COVID-19 exposure, but in his absence, look for Boscobel junior Levi Glasbrenner (season-best time of 16:45) and Darlington junior Rhett Reuter (17:34) to also contend for the conference crown.GIRLS: Who Will Finish Second? - As has been the theme for this season, Southwestern/Benton/Cuba City junior Kayci Martensen is unlikely to face any close challengers. As the defending Division 2 WIAA State Champion, as well as the two-time defending conference champion, Martensen will take a season-best time of 17:39 (currently the second fastest time in the state) into the conference championships. She will be looking to make it three individual titles in a row. Hanna Martensen, a freshman from SW/Benton/CC, is the favorite to finish runner-up, bringing a season-best time of 18:53 to the table. Others to watch for will be Fennimore seniors Laurynn Bunn (season-best of 19:24) and Brynlee Nelson (19:44), and Darlington freshman Raquel Reuter (20:18).
Teams to Watch
BOYS: Boscobel Boasts Best - The Bulldogs return a strong and talented group from last year's conference and sectional championship teams, and they haven't shown any signs of slowing down. Darlington knocked off the defending conference champs by two seconds in total team time at Fennimore's Golden Eagle Relays, but the Bulldogs' showing at their Dark Park 5k (average team time of 17:40) shows why they're the favorites again this year. Darlington and Iowa-Grant will contend closely for the SWAL crown as well. Both teams bring a strong duo of front runners to try and break up Boscobel's top five (Reuter and senior Caleb Weaver leading the Redbirds, with Connolly and sophomore Mason Aide for the Panthers). Along with Glasbrenner, junior Ben Bohringer and senior Blake Sander will be a commanding force for the Bulldogs' repeat pursuit.
GIRLS: With Boscobel Out, Fennimore & Darlington will Duel - Although they would have been a top contender for the title, due to exposure to COVID-19 the Boscobel girls' team will not be able to compete at the conference meet this year. They will, however, be back and ready to run for the sub-sectional meet the following week. In their place, Fennimore and Darlington will battle it out for the team crown. With the school delaying the volleyball season to the fall, Fennimore sisters Brynlee (owner of multiple state medals on the track) and freshman Braycee Nelson opted to give cross country a try - and they have made a strong first impression on their team's season. They, along with frontrunner Laurynn Bunn, have paced the Golden Eagles up front to strong showings this year, winning the competitive Dark Park 5k earlier this year. Standing in their way is the defending SWAL team champion Darlington, led by freshman Raquel Reuter. The Redbirds were the top team from the SWAL at the Fennimore Golden Eagle Relays, and they show little evidence to giving up their championship from a year ago. Sophomore Ashlynn Norgard and junior Allyson Meyers will be key contributors in the Redbirds' quest for another title. This conference clash will be worth the watch!