By: Madeline Hoitink, Co Editor-in-Chief
Posted November 11th, 2015
Last weekend, the Slinger girls’ and boys’ varsity cross country seasons came to an end when Ali Wolf and David Fassbender braved the cold to run at Wisconsin’s Division 1 State meet in Wisconsin Rapids. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams this fall proved to be very successful, and many talented individuals stepped up to lead the team in practices and at meets.
Juniors Ali Wolf and Hannah Strachan led the Slinger girls’ cross country team. In the beginning of the season, Wolf and Strachan set the pace for their team. However, two talented freshman, Makaila Groves and Paige Fassbender, were great additions to the team and began to challenge the two juniors by the third meet. Over the entire season, Wolf ran with a Personal Record (PR) of 19:25, followed by Groves and Fassbender with PR’s of 20:12 and 20:21. Strachan closely follows Fassbender with a PR of 20:22. Wolf has earned the #3 rank on the Junior Cross Country Honor Roll and First Team All-Conference, and Strachan has earned #7 on the Junior Honor Roll and Third Team All-Conference. Groves is now #5 of the Freshman Honor Roll and earned Second Team All-Conference. Fassbender earned #7 on the Freshman Honor Roll and Third Team All-Conference. As a team, the lady Owls had a very successful season, earning first place as a team in many meets, including the Mayville Mike Hurlbert Invitational, the Waukesha South CC Festival, and Laser Relays. Cross country’s senior girls include Megan Meyer, Liz Weiland, Kaylin Cox, Katie White, Heidi Pardon, Ashlyn Schwind, Brook Johnson, and Kristin Klahn.
Boys’ cross country also had an outstanding season. Juniors John German and David Fassbender stepped up to lead the team. Fassbender recorded the fastest time for the Slinger boys, with a PR of 16:05, which he ran at the Sectional meet. German also proved to have a strong season, running a best time of 17:17. Sophomore Augie Beyer and Junior Cameron Opalacz greatly helped their team with PR’s of 16:48 and 17:48. Fassbender has worked tirelessly to become the second fastest Junior Slinger has had. Beyer was able to earn the #1 ranking on the Sophomore Honor Roll and Second Team All-Conference. German earned #18 on the Junior Honor Roll. In addition, the Owls ran to first place as a team at the following meets: Kettle Moraine Lutheran Invitational, Mayville Mike Hurlbert Invitational, and Laser Relays. This year’s senior Owls include Jeremiah Miller, Hunter Goodwin, Brad Barnes, Alex Moser, and Julian Blecking.
This season, the Owls were very fortunate to have two especially talented athletes: David Fassbender and Ali Wolf. Fassbender and Wolf both ran PR performances at the WIAA Sectional meet and placed high enough to earn a place at the WIAA State meet in Wisconsin Rapids. Fassbender placed second at sectionals, and Wolf placed seventh. Overall, both the boys’ and girls’ teams finished in 4th place in their sectional meet, which is much improved from last year. In the girls’ race, Wolf, Paige Fassbender, Strachan, Groves, and Junior Abby Verhunce placed in the top 50. In the boys’ race, Fassbender, Beyer, German, Opalacz, and Junior Trent Huebner finished in the top 50. At this year’s state meet, both Fassbender and Wolf had great performances. Fassbender finished 19th and Wolf finished 60th. Many of the runners’ friends and family came to support them for this amazing experience.
Next year, Slinger Cross Country is looking for an even better season, with increased work ethic, preparation, and performances!
