Cross country teams seek leaders

Having lost several top runners to graduation, the 2009 Sheboygan Falls Falcons boys and girls cross country teams will sport new looks this season.

First year head coach Tiffany Otte takes over for retiring coach Tom Brown this season.

Otte is excited about the upcoming season. Even though Falls lost some valuable experience, it looks like the Falcons can reload with a talented squad on both the girls and the boys teams.

“I look forward to working with the teams,” said Otte. “The kids have responded well and made this a easy transition.”

Last season the girls placed second in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference and third at the sectional, just missing their fourth consecutive trip to state.

Otte feels that the girls have the ability to return to state with a strong nucleus of returning letterwinners, led by seniors Carley Lorge and Sara Martin, junior Abby Debbink and sophomore Nicole Bartel.

Newcomers expected to compete for the fifth spot are senior Haley Schnell and sophomores Rachel Miley and Stephanie Kleckner.

The Falcons will miss the leadership of outgoing seniors Ashley Bender, Ashlyn Mauer and Katie Herman. Mauer went to state last season as an individual.

Falls looks to be solid with Lorge, a first-team All-EWC runner last season, joined by Martin, who came on strong at the end of last season. Debbink, Bartel and Kleckner each have varsity experience.

The Falcon boys also have a strong core of returnees, having lost only Travis Christenson to graduation. Falls finished fourth in the EWC, and seventh at sectionals in 2008.

Junior Lucas LaCrosse leads an inspired group of runners, who hope to follow the same path to state as LaCrosse and Travis Christenson did as individuals last year.

Other returning letterwinners are senior Eric Albrecht, senior Corey Blizzard, senior Matt St. Andre, junior Devin Christenson, junior Chase Schultz, sophomore Lucas Lambrecht and sophomore Brandon Posewitz.

Plymouth looks to be the favorite win the EWC, along with a possible push from Two Rivers and Kiel. Falls will need to fight to earn another top-three finish this year.

CROSS COUNTRY

2009 Schedule
Aug. 27 - at UW Sheboygan Quad
Sept. 3 - at Kiel
Sept. 5 - at Green Bay Preble
Sept. 11 - at Mayville
Sept. 17 - at Valders
Sept. 22 - at Plymouth
Sept. 29 - at Sheboygan County Invite
Oct. 1 - at Slinger
Oct. 8 - at Campbellsport
Oct. 15 - at EWC Meet
Oct. 22 – Sectional Meet at Mayville