By Ben Priesgen
Journalist
On August 28, the Lomira girls’ cross country team kicked off their season with an impressive repeat first-place finish at Palmyra-Eagle in the twelve-team competition, having a dominant performance, scoring 39 points, earning them a first-place finish.
This year, the team boasts eight returning runners from last year’s squad, which qualified for the state cross-country championship.
The Lions also added nine new runners to the girls’ team, which provides extra depth and excitement.
Coaches Tyler Witkowski, Corey Bauer, and new coach Chris Gatke (who was Coach Witkowski’s high school cross-country coach) expressed their enthusiasm for the large girls’ team this year.
Sophomore Whitney Witkowski ran a smart race, securing a first-place finish with a time of 20:56, winning the first 5k of the season.
Junior and Team Captain Hanna Faber followed closely, finishing fourth with a time of 21:55, and sophomore Izzy Westphal placed eighth with a time of 22:35.
“I am so happy that our girls’ program is growing. My goal is that they understand how important they are on this team since everyone has a significant role,” said Head Coach Tyler Witkowski.
The Lomira Lions boys’ cross country team has a new group of freshmen joining their key returners. The boys showcased their hard work at their first meet, with the young team running tough and together, which secured them a 10th-place finish out of 12 teams.
“The returning boys showed vast improvement from last year’s race here, while the new runners really impressed me. Your first race is always the hardest, and the varsity team showed grit,” said Witkowski.
The Lions will travel on September 2 to Iola Scandinavia and to Horicon’s River Bend Park on September 4, with meet times at 4 p.m.
Meet Summary
Thursday, August 29
Girls Results
1. Whitney Witkowski, 20:56
4. Hanna Faber, 21:55
8. Izzy Westphal, 22:35
12. Josie Christian, 22:45
16. Kennedy Goebel, 23:06
29. Elinorah Langjahr, 25:06
30. Tori Thomas, 25:12
32. Brianna Frea, 25:16
Boys Results
47. Luke Unruh, 22:18
51. Matthew Freitag, 22:37
59. William Stuewer, 24:11
66. Jesse Schaumburg, 26:11
72. Michael Banaszynski, 32:27
73. William Watkins, 33:55
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