WLB cross country athletes improve their performances at Delevan sectional

[October 15, 2020] 

Tuesday’s windy sectional meet at Delevan junior high proved to be a major success for the West Lincoln-Broadwell (WLB) Wolverine cross country team. Delavan’s two-milecourse played host to seven teams, Decatur Our Lady of Lourdes, Delavan, Green Valley Midwest Central, Mason City Illini Central, Springfield Christ the King, Springfield Christian, and WLB. The girls race had 39 runners, while the boys had 42. (While IESA has no plans for a state meet this season, this narrative will read as if there were.)

WLB had three girl runners, Mallory Short (8th), Grace Schneider (7th), and Ella Schneider (5th).

While Delavan ran away with the girl’s team victory (22 points), all three WLB girls had personal bests.

Mallory Short ran to an 8th place finish(14:21), individually qualifying for state. Mallory went out fast with a 6:42 first mile and hung on for a sprint finish, edging out a runner from Decatur.

Grace Schneider placed 25th (15:56)while her younger sister Ella placed 35th (18:32). Grace had a different strategy than her teammate Short. Grace ran an 8:00 first mile and set herself up nicely to pass several girls in her faster, second mile. Ella ran a steady race and looked very strong at the finish. She improved her time by several minutes over her previous season best.

The WLB boys had an outstanding day, qualifying for state as a team for the first time in school history. Each runner ran a person best time.

Delavan once again won the team event (39 points), while Springfield Christ the King finished second (59 points) and WLB finished third (68 points).

The WLB team included 8th graders Blake Horn and Jude Toft, 7th grader Eli Roemer, 6th graders Zack Echardt, Preston Short, and 5th graders Henry Stoltzenburg, and Bubby Vineyard.

Horn ran to a 6th place finish with a time of 12:44, while Toft (12:53) and Short (12:57) finished close behind with 8th and 9th place finishes. All three boys ran a fast first mile, (Horn 6:02, Toft/Short 6:20), but still managed to finish strong.

Horn’s strong kick allowed him to squeeze by a CTK runner at the finish.

Toft and Short ran together most of the race. Toft gave a gentle pat on the back to the younger Short as he rounded the turn to the finish, both boys ahead of a small pack of Delavan runners.

Stoltzenburg had an excellent race, looking strong and confident, placing 22nd (14:04) as did Eckhardt coming in just behind his teammate for 23rd place (14:11).

Vinyard, a last-minute addition to the race day roster, proved his future potential, placing 29th (14:40).

Not to be outdone, Roemer placed 39th (17:25) and ran a very smart race, placing himself in the right spot for a brilliant final kick to the finish.

[Coach Aaron Roemer]