This story is sponsored by: Randy LeMoine Agency, LLC – American Family Insurance
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
The Marshfield Columbus Catholic boys cross country team are getting a second chance – a chance at redemption.
The Dons will be making their second-straight appearance at the state meet when they take to Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids for the 2014 WIAA State Cross Country Championships on Saturday morning. Columbus, as well as Stratford sophomore Cade Lehman, will be running in the Division 3 race at 11:30 a.m. to kick off the state meet.
Seniors Ben Behling and Jeremy Binder, sophomores Leonard Steinert, Benny Frericks and Leo Pittsley, and freshmen Peyton Nystrom and Jeremiah Giles will run for the Dons.
Behling, Binder and Frericks were part of the team that finished 16th and last among the Division 3 teams at the state meet last year. All of the Dons were caught near the back, finishing between 102nd and 141st place.
This year, the Dons have tried to use an offensive approach. Yes, there is no “offense” per se, in running, but coach Danielle Wojcik has employed an attack to keep Columbus always looking to grab team points.
“We try to use pack-running, and teach them if one person makes a move, take another with you,” Wojcik said. “Everyone ahead of you, it is a goal to pass until you are in front. Every person you pass is another point for the team.”
Behling, who was the team’s No. 3 of 4 runner last year in most events, has catapulted himself into the unquestioned No. 1 spot on the squad this season.
Behling, a senior, was fifth at the Cloverbelt Conference Meet on Oct. 18 in Eau Claire, and fifth again at the WIAA Division 3 sectional at Athens on Oct. 24.
His dedication has made him into an elite runner this year, Wojcik said.
“He has been phenomenal and a great role model,” Wojcik said. “I give him a mark and he meets it. You can see the drive in his face and he is not about to give up until the very end of the race.”
Nystrom, Binder and Giles all finished between 20th and 29th at the sectional, and the Dons will be looking for a strong grouping again at the state meet to propel their way up the standings.
“I want everyone to get a PR (personal record) and are hoping to place in the middle of the pack,” Wojcik said.
Lehman took eighth at the sectional last week, finishing in 17:56 to take the fourth spot of the five individual qualifiers.
After a disappointing finish last year when he took 30th at the sectional, Lehman put in a lot of extra time during the offseason to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.
“He knew he could do better,” Stratford coach Mark Guderski said. “. So, in his off-season he ran miles, and miles, and miles, and miles. His goal was to go to state this year and was willing to do whatever it takes to get there. Our goal for Saturday for him is to be in the top 50.”
2014 WIAA State Cross Country Championships
Saturday, Nov. 1
At Ridges Golf Course, Wisconsin Rapids
*Division 3 boys (Marshfield Columbus Catholic team, Stratford’s Cade Lehman), 11:30 a.m.
*Division 2 boys, 12:10 p.m.
*Division 1 boys, 12:50 p.m.
*Division 3 girls (Stratford team, Auburndale’s Kali Karl, Spencer’s Nadia King), 1:30 p.m.
*Division 2 girls, 2:10 p.m.
*Division 1 girls, 2:50 p.m.
This story also appears in the Oct. 24 edition of Hub City Times.