November 24, 2021 at 7:28 a.m.
Team review: RHS cross country
Hodags cap off Cinderella run at state
Team review: RHS cross country
The 2021 RHS cross country season will be remembered for the remarkable turnaround for its boys' program, which won its first conference championship since 1987 and finished ninth at the WIAA Division 2 state meet in its first state appearance as a team since 1997.
"It couldn't have been a better year after what happened last year and the way it crashed to an end. This has been fantastic," coach M.J. Laggis said.
Here are five storylines from the recently completed season.
Stretch run
There were signs of greatness from the start. The Hodags won three of their first four meets on the boys' side, and six races overall. But the boys' squad hit its stride down the stretch.
Rhinelander entered as the favorite to win the GNC title heading into the conference meet at Minocqua Winter Park. The team delivered, placing six runners in the top 16 overall to capture its first conference title in 34 years.
The Hodags went into sectionals the following week projected third, with only the top two teams advancing to the state meet. The team beat their projection, placing six runners in the top 30, beating Freedom for the runner-up spot.
Once again at state, the Hodags exceeded expectations. Rhinelander was projected to finish 13th based on sectional performances, but shot all the way up to ninth.
"They did everything they could all year," coach Laggis said following the state meet. "They had the best last three weeks you could have. It was outstanding. I'm proud of those seniors, proud of their accomplishments."
A Lag(gis) up
Senior Cal Laggis was a leader all season long for the Hodag boys. Coach Laggis' son, Cal bounced back after missing the end of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 protocols.
The younger Laggis was Rhinelander's fastest runner in all 12 of his starts this season. He won invites in Stratford and Three Lakes and had 10 top five finishes on the season - including third-place showings at conference and sectionals.
Cal Laggis cracked the 17-minute mark for five kilometers, going 16:54.6 at sectionals and then backed it up with a 19th-place finish in a field of more than 150 runners at the state meet.
"I'm really proud of what he accomplished and really had a great career - truly the fastest kid I've ever coached and it will be brutal without him," coach Laggis said.
Wall of Green
While Cal Laggis led the way, the secret of Rhinelander's success was the improvement of the remainder of the varsity pack.
The quintet of Ty Welk, Jack DeNamur, Jaden Beske, Cody Ruetz and Greyson Gremban all finished in the top 16 at conference and then the top 30 at sectionals. With five runners counting toward the a team's score, getting five to the line before almost everyone else was what ultimately swung the pendulum in Rhinelander's favor at both conference and sectionals.
"These guys were just a different animal," coach Laggis said. "I can't explain how it feels as a coach, you've got one guy that crosses and then you're looking up at the finish it's just (jerseys of) green, green, green, green. Those guys brought that to the table."
Girls' season
Rhinelander had hopes of improvement for its girls' squad this season, but injuries derailed the team's chances.
Leah Jamison, the team's top returning runner, was lost following the team's second race with a hip injury and never made it back into the lineup. Varsity contributor Eva Hetland went down with an injury midway through the season. Even freshman Sophia Miljevich, who led Rhinelander in nine of 12 races this season, had two DNFs after suffering ailments on the course.
Miljevich finished as Rhinelander's top finisher at both conference (18th) and sectionals (28th)
"Our girls improved all year," coach M.J. Laggis said. "We've got some young, good runners coming back and I'm excited about what they do in the offseason."
Seniors Emma Germain and Sage Flory were varsity contributors all season, along with junior Juliana Smith and freshmen Luna Grage and Reese Gehrig.
As a team, the Hodags finished fifth at conference and ninth at sectionals. The team's lone win came at the Northland Pines Invite Oct. 5.
What's next
The Hodag boys will look much different next year with Ruetz, Gremban and sophomore Gavin Denis slated to be the only returning runners from the varsity squad. Coach Laggis said the team will try to reload, however, with this year's seniors setting the tone for years to come.
"They're changing our mentality here where we're going to try to qualify (for state) as a team," he said. "You and I both know that won't happen every year, but the mindset that we're a running community and we're a running school is developing. That's incredible and that's a tribute to those seniors."
On the girls' side, the Hodags graduate Germain and Flory but are optimistic that they can have a turnaround similar to what the boys' had this season with some dedication in the offseason and a bit of good fortune on the health front.
"You look at those younger girls with Sophie and Luna and Reese, and look where Leah was before she got hurt, we could put together a nice girls' side next year," coach Laggis said. "It all matters what happens in the offseason. We've learned that. It's all about the offseason and the miles."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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