Here are the top team and individual contenders from the Appleton area for the WIAA state cross country championships
The 111th running of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association boys cross country championships and the 50th girls cross country championships will take place Saturday at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.
The first race is at noon with Division 3 boys, followed by Division 2 and then Division 1. The Division 3 girls race is scheduled to start at 1:45 p.m., followed by Division 2 and Division 1.
Tickets are $9 plus online fees for adults and students and are available on the WIAA website.
Here’s a look at Appleton area teams and individuals that could contend, along with all area qualifiers:
Teams
Kaukauna girls
The Ghosts finished third last year in Division 1 and have six returning runners. They placed second at the Stevens Point Sectional, where Sydney Fauske was second and Reese Fauske fourth to lead the Ghosts.
Neenah boys
The Rockets placed 10th last year in Division 1 and return three runners from that team. They finished in second place at the Stevens Point Sectional, with Zach Verhagen leading the way in 11th place.
Neenah girls
The Rockets placed 11th last year in Division 1 and return three runners from that squad. Neenah took first place at the Stevens Point Sectional. Elsa Gruber placed fifth and Mazie Olkowski was sixth at the sectional.
St. Mary Catholic boys
The Zephyrs took first place at the Wabeno/Laona Sectional in Division 3. Ian Albino was eighth and Benjamin Schoeni placed 10th to lead the Zephyrs.
Winneconne boys
The Wolves placed seventh last year in Division 2 and return five runners from that squad. They took first place at the New London Sectional. Grant Wenzelow was fourth and Oliver Aberle was sixth to lead the Wolves.
Xavier girls
The Hawks are the defending Division 2 state champions and return four runners. They took first place at the New London Sectional, led by individual champion Lilie Fouts and fourth-place finisher Annalise Minorik.
Individuals to watch
Noah Donnermeyer, Xavier – The senior took third place at the Division 2 New London Sectional. He finished in 18th place at state last season and was 47th in 2021.
Logan Salzmann, Kimberly – The senior placed 12th at state in Division 1 last season after finishing 13th in 2021. He took fourth place at the Stevens Point Sectional.
Ashley Wilson, Little Chute – The junior took second place at the New London Sectional. She placed 15th at state last season and was 32nd in 2021.
Sophie Yetter, Winneconne – The senior is a four-time state qualifier. She ran to a fifth-place finish last year in Division 2 to go with 11th place in 2021 and sixth in 2020. She finished third at the New London Sectional.
Qualifiers
Girls
Division 1
Teams
Neenah – Elsa Gruber, so.; Mazie Olkowski, jr.; Natalie Schultz, fr.; Eme Olkowski, so.; Maddie Schoonover, fr.; Natalie Willes, so.; Rachel Dietrick, sr.
Kaukauna – Sydney Fauske, sr.; Reese Fauske, so.; McKenna Lowe, jr.; Jenna Kinas, so.; Kyla Laabs, jr.; Lauren Pruno, jr.; Rohan Flanagan, sr.
Individuals
Ava Helmbrecht, so., Appleton North; Hannah Huza, so., Hortonville; Sophia Scherwinski, so., Appleton North.
Division 2
Team
Xavier – Lilie Fouts, sr.; Annalise Minorik, sr.; Lauren Erickson, so.; Joy Krull, so.; Hannah Linsmeyer, fr.; Raena Lambie, fr.; Elle Krull, fr.
Individuals
Ashley Wilson, jr., Little Chute; Sophie Yetter, sr., Winneconne; Leigh Dewitt, sr., Freedom; Sami Miller, jr., Little Chute.
Division 3
Individuals
Ava Lorenz, so., Shiocton; Lauren Ripley, jr., St. Mary Catholic; Jolie Jaeger, sr., Manawa.
Boys
Division 1
Team
Neenah – Zach Verhagen, so.; Wyatt Armock, sr.; Braedy Klawikowski, jr.; Charles Fredrickson, sr.; Jaden Leal, sr.; Nolan Smith, jr.; Harmon Posegate, jr.
Individuals
Logan Salzmann, sr., Kimberly; Andrew Milhans, sr., Kaukauna; Riley Szymik, sr., Appleton North; Caleb Hardy, sr., Appleton North; Tyce Scheetz, sr., Appleton West.
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Division 2
Team
Winneconne – Grant Wenzelow, so.; Oliver Aberle, jr.; Sam Sarbo, sr.; Reid Cross, sr.; Silas Sarbo, so.; Cody McLeod, jr.; Ben Harmon, sr.
Individuals
Noah Donnermeyer, sr., Xavier; Luke Krull, sr., Xavier; Hayden Carroll, jr., Little Chute; Lucas Mathes, sr., Brillion.
Division 3
Team
St. Mary Catholic – Ian Albano, sr.; Benjamin Schoeni, sr.; Nathan Seiske, jr.; Alexander Groppel, sr.; Ethan Auer, so.; Noah Valentine, sr.; Brandon DeBraal, fr.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: WIAA state cross country contenders, qualifiers from the Appleton area