August 25, 2017 at 2:32 p.m.
Soccer players bolster Hodag harriers in home meet
Soccer players bolster Hodag harriers in home meet
Five members of the RHS boys' soccer team joined their cross country brethren to take part in the competition. The soccer players did more than hold their own, they were five of Rhinelander's top eight runners on the day as the team placed fifth out of seven teams in the senior division.
"That's a credit to those kids as athletes and it's also a credit to what they're doing in soccer," Hodag cross country coach M.J. Laggis said. "We really appreciate them running."
Every so often an athlete will double-dip in a couple of fall sports. Sophomore Daniel Ritchie, for instance, splits time between the soccer and cross country teams, though he did not compete Thursday due to an injury. But an influx of players from one sport to help another is an unusual phenomenom.
Not only did boys' soccer coach Dan Millot allow his players to moonlight Thursday morning, he encouraged it.
"I'm just glad that we could help out the cross country team," he said. "I know that some of their kids are down with injuries and we've got to do that. Our school right now, we don't have enough male participation. We've got to figure out how to change that problem."
Rhinelander is without top runner Bridger Flory for at least a few more weeks due to a lower leg injury. Ritchie, Abe Laggis and Levi Smith were also scratched from the lineup due to injury or illness.
Senior Joseph Schmitz, a center defender for the soccer team, was the fastest of the interlopers and second-fastest overall for the RHS team. He got the holeshot and led the first few hundred meters of the race before settling in and finishing 23rd with a time of 19 minutes, 44.5 seconds.
Martin Hoger was 35th (20:35.6), Quinn Werner took 43rd (20:53.7), Freddy Wisner was 58th (21.35.9) and goalkeeper Josh Randolph rounded out the soccer contingent in 60th (21:40.2).
"Those guys just shocked me at how strong they finished," Laggis said. "They didn't die on the vine out there. They finished. What a credit to them and we hope we can get them more Saturdays as the year wears on."
There was no soccer game on Thursday as the team prepped for its home invitational yesterday and today at the Hanson Lake Soccer Complex. Millot said the players were going to run anyway for conditioning, so why not do it in a competitive setting.
"There's no pressure on them to win, but just to do their best. If their best helps the team, more power to them," he said.
While the soccer players will not be available for every race, both Millot and Laggis said the two teams would work to accommodate each other, as their schedules allow.
Johnson leads the pack for RHS
Though the soccer runners were a story, the top Hodag on the day was once again senior Markus Johnson, who finished 19th overall with a time of 19:28.5. Laggis said Johnson, a team captain, was already a team leader off the course and is excelling in the same role on the course with Flory on the mend.
"He was our No. 1. He's the leader of our team, the backbone of our team and I'm proud of him as a leader," Laggis said. "He started back and that's a characteristic of his. Markus just took control late in the race, in terms of our runners anyway. He blasted and finished strong."
Freshman Jacob Weddle turned in another strong run for Rhinelander, placing third on the team and 29th overall (20:11.7).
"He's going to be something to contend with in a couple years here," Laggis said. "I mean he's about 4-foot-8 and he's got a long way to go. He's going to grow. He's going to get bigger but, I tell you what, that kid is a practice machine and we just love him."
Another freshman, JC Adams, was also among Rhinelander's varsity finishers in 46th overall (20:59.6).
Wisconsin Valley Conference schools D.C. Everest, Wausau West and Wausau East took the top three spots. Northland Pines finished 46 points ahead of Rhinelander for fourth. Merrill and Antigo rounded out the seven-school senior division.
The Hodags return to action Sept. 5 at Wittenberg-Birnamwood.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.