Back to state in '08?

Eagle file photo

Senior Jerry Kerska, last year's Badger North champion, leads a group of four returning runners that all finished in the top 10 in the conference.

By Dan Larson, Sauk Prairie Eagle

Twenty-two.

That's the number of years Sauk Prairie had to wait between its previous WIAA Division 1 state boys' cross country meet appearance and last year's.

But with four of its top-five runners returning this season, the Eagles may not have to wait nearly as long for its next appearance.

Seniors Jerry Kerska (61st at last year's state meet), Josh Campbell (69) and Kevin Grunewald (155), as well as junior Garrett Kerska (83) figure to give Sauk Prairie a good chance at repeating last year's trip to state— the team's first such trip since 1985 — where the Eagles finished 14th out of 20 teams.

And while head coach Dan Winzenreid admitted that's one of the team's goals for the season, he also recognized replacing Justin Miller — the team's fifth runner last year, who finished 135th at the 189-individual meet — will be integral to making that happen.

"Right now we're kind of young at that position," said Winzenreid, who's entering his 31st year coaching the boys' and girls' cross country teams at Sauk Prairie. "Our top four definitely have the ability, but it's all going to depend on how far back that fifth person is."

But he did indicate Sophomores Tyler Schoepp and Henry Halling are both ready to compete for that spot.

"I think Schoepp and Halling have made great strides to become our fifth and sixth runners. I'm very pleased with their development from last year," he said.

In fact, Winzenreid said in some of the team's early season workouts, Schoepp, who finished 187th at the meet, hasn't been too far behind the top-four.

Sauk Prairie doesn't figure to be behind anyone at the Badger North meet Oct. 18. As much as the Eagles making a return trip to state seems realistic, winning the conference meet may be even more realistic.

Jerry Kerska, Campbell and Garret Kerska finished first, third and fourth, respectively, at last year's meet to pace Sauk Prairie to its second consecutive championship.

The only individual that stood in the way of an all-Eagle top three was Reedsburg's Chris Schuenke, who has since graduated, which means it's conceivable Sauk Prairie could claim the top three spots this year.

And as if returning four of the top runners in the conference — Grunewald finished ninth at last year's meet — isn't enough, Winzenreid has altered the team's training schedule to try and push what he called a "mid-season peak" last season closer to the postseason this year.

"I'm starting (the team) out a little slower," he said. "We're kind of doing the same things, we're just kind of delaying what we're doing.

"We're going to use the races for some of the faster stuff (early on), and then we'll get into a little bit more of the hardcore training (as the season progresses)."

No doubt, it's a season Winzenreid and the team hopes progresses back to Wisconsin Rapids and a second-straight state appearance.

2008 Sauk Prairie boys' & Girls' Cross Country schedule

Sept. 2    —     @ Breuss Invitational, Monroe, 5 p.m.

Sept. 6    —     @ Verona Invitational, tba

Sept. 13    —     @ River Valley Invitational, Spring Green, 8:30 a.m.

Sept. 16    —     Badger Conference Challenge, tba, 4 p.m.

Sept. 20    —     @ Milwaukee Marquette Invitational, Washington Park, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 23    —     @ Waunakee, Governor Nelson State Park, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 4    —     @ Platteville Invitational, tba

Oct. 11    —     @ Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln, The Ridges GC, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 18    —     Badger Conference meet, 9:30 a.m.

Oct. 25    —     WIAA Division 1 sectional, tba

Nov. 1    —     WIAA Division 1 state tournament, Wisconsin Rapids, The Ridges GC