October 28, 2021 at 8:10 a.m.
A team and its rooster
Unusual mascot helps propel Hodag harriers to state meet
A team and its rooster
He's also perhaps the most galvanizing figure on this year's WIAA state-bound Rhinelander High School boys' cross country team.
Meet Henderson the Rooster.
The fowl figurine - a rummage find this summer - has turned into an eclectic mascot for the Hodag harriers this season. He has also basked in plenty of celebrations - whether it's someone getting a medal for a top-10 finish or the team celebrating a runner-up finish at sectionals and its first state meet appearance since 1997. If there's an accolade to receive, Henderson is sure to follow.
Credit coach M.J. Laggis for hatching the idea. The rooster soon-to-be-known-as Henderson came home to roost in his garage this summer, as Laggis' sister downsized some belongings during a move.
A trip to the craft supply store, and a few coats of paint, later Henderson was set to be unveiled to the team. Laggis admitted he didn't know if the team would take Henderson under its wing, or find it an idea that wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
The team flocked to its new friend - the perfect fit for a group that has not taken itself too seriously, even as it has had successes the program hasn't seen in decades.
"I was honestly not that surprised," senior Ty Welk said of the pint-sized poultry's first appearance. "It's kind of typical, but it's awesome. It's one of coach Laggis' just wonderful ideas. We've kind of just embraced it the latter half of the season."
"The whole thing couldn't be more ridiculous," Laggis said with a chuckle. "We keep it wrapped up in a blanket and in a bit Tupperware bin. Coach (Melissa) Krueger watches it at her house during the week and it comes and travels with us on the weekend."
At least that's the plan most weeks. Reports of a runaway rooster ruffled a few feathers following Monday's practice. Alas, Henderson had just been temporarily misplaced after the team's long trip back from the sectional meet in Abrams on Saturday and was recovered shortly after his reported disappearance.
Cross country is far from the easiest sport, whether its the drone of mile after mile of training, or fighting through pain in the final kilometer of a 5K race, trying to conjure up every last bit of energy for a late sprint to the finish. The Hodags have done several things this year to make the process more fun, whether it's Henderson or the hats the team passes out after a race to the boy and girl runner who showed the most heart on the course.
"The team spirit that coach Laggis had brought to this team is unbelievable," junior Cody Ruetz said. "It started with the hats, then the rooster and it's never stopped. We have team events and he always makes it fun."
Fun and camaraderie have been key for the Hodags, who followed up their first conference championship since 1987 with their first team state berth in 24 years. But the team would not have gotten there without a smart training plan. That's where the team credits assistant coach Melissa Krueger, who has pushed seemingly all the right buttons to get the team at its best at the end of the season.
"Coach Krueger has held us accountable all season, just pushing us when we don't want to, and staying healthy," Welk said. "Earlier this week she sent out a text that, 'It's not that we have to practice this week. It's we get to practice this week.' All those little things really add up during the season."
The Hodags started the season by winning their home invite and it never really stopped. Soon the team was beating perennial GNC powers Tomahawk and Medford. By the time Rhinelander won the Northland Pines Invite - with Henderson proudly strutting up with the team to collect the plaque - there came a realization of just how special this year's squad could be.
"I think it was Eagle River, when I saw that pack of us finish back-to-back, that was amazing," Ruetz said. "I was like, 'We actually have a shot at going to state.' That's kind of where it stuck in my head."
Now that Rhinelander has made it to state the team feels a bit like it is playing with house money. The Hodags aren't projected to be among the contenders for the state title, and are a long shot to have any individuals reach the podium. Yet, for a team that will see four seniors race for the final time, Saturday's D2 state race at The Ridges in Wisconsin Rapids will be about the same word it has been about all season - fun.
"The pressure's off," coach Laggis said. "We've been telling the kids, 'Let's go out and have fun. Let's run as fast as we can. Let's have a good pressure of trying to compete against those top teams and see what we can do.' We've never been there as a team. There's no expectations on us, so our expectations is to just go compete and just see what we can do."
Here are a few other storylines going into Saturday's race.
Mock math
Rhinelander flies into the state race under the radar, projected to finish 13th of the 16 qualifying teams, according to a mock-up of the state meet using everyone's qualifying times from sectionals.
Shorewood, the No. 1 team in the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association D2 poll, is the overwhelming favorite, followed by Notre Dame Academy, Port Washington, Two Rivers and Dodgeville/Mineral Point.
Shawano - the winner of the Oconto Falls sectional where Rhinelander placed second - is projected to finish 10th in the team standings, 56 points ahead of the Hodags. While there is no pressure, coach Laggis said he would love to see his team outperform the projections.
"I would love to be inside those top 10 teams," he said. "When I look at it, it's fast, for sure. The 16 teams in Division 2, we're 13th maybe, speed-wise, so let's improve upon that, try to crawl into the top 10 and see where we end up."
Senior sendoff
Cal Laggis, Ty Welk, Jack DeNamur and Jaden Beske will run their final race in a Hodag uniform on Saturday, and all four would love to go out with a bang.
Cal Laggis, coach Laggis' son, finished third at last week's Oconto Falls sectional and had the 27th-fastest time overall in the D2 qualifying field. The top 10 individual finishes in Saturday's race reach the podium.
The younger Laggis said he's not too concerned about getting on the podium, but rather going out and trying to finish with back-to-back sub 17-minute performances to finish his career.
"I just want to go out and have a good race," he said. "It's not really a PR-type course, but I'd like to get down close to my PR and just see what I can do out there."
Welk and DeNamur have been part of the Hodag pack that has been so vital to scoring well at both conference and sectionals. Welk got the better of DeNamur in both races - by a mere tenth of a second a sectionals. DeNamur said he'd love to turn the tables on Saturday.
"There was a lot of trash talking coming to the finish line, but I really love running with Ty during the races," he said, jokingly. "It makes it easier because you're not alone. You've got someone pushing you the entire time. It makes me run faster."
No longer dual-ing
Beske, meanwhile, said he's focused solely on getting a personal-best time. That might be easier for him this week as he is not trying to juggle both football and cross country at the same time.
Beske, and freshman Greyson Gremban, both juggled dual sports this fall - with Gremban splitting time between cross country and soccer.
"It's been exhausting," Beske said. "I know that a lot of Saturdays we've had a lot of meets and Sundays I just crash and lay in bed most of the day, not do anything and just lay there. I'm just glad I actually get to run the whole week with the guys. I'm just trying to get a PR and have a good race."
It's in the genes
Gremban said he was thankful to both M.J. Laggis and RHS boys' soccer coach Nathan Bates for allowing him to participate in both sports this fall.
It will be a family affair for Gremban Saturday at state as two cousins - Sam and Nora Gremban - both qualified as individuals for Northland Pines. Nora Gremban was the Oconto Falls sectional girls' champion and enters with the fourth-best time in the state for the D2 girls' race while Sam Gremban finished fifth overall at sectionals on the boys' side.
Greyson Gremban said his cousins' success is partly why he decided to dabble in two sports this fall.
"This team was good and I really wanted to see where I was at, and see if I could run with my cousins. I'm really lucky that the coaches let me run and play soccer," he said.
New kid on the block
All seven members of the Hodag cross country team are making their first trip to state, but no one is as green as sophomore Gavin Denis, who took up the sport for the first time this fall and know finds himself on the eve of racing on the state's biggest stage.
"I think it's really fun and special that I get to run with all the guys and be on varsity for my first year running. It's just been fun and a good opportunity," he said
Added coach Laggis said, "You couldn't script that any better for a kid."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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