October 24, 2022 at 10:25 a.m.
Ruetz finishes 5th, qualifies for state cross country meet
Ruetz finishes 5th, qualifies for state cross country meet
Ruetz placed fifth Saturday and secured one of five individual qualifying positions up for grabs at a WIAA Division 2 sectional meet hosted by Oconto Falls at Patriot Golf Club.
The Hodag boys didn't make it as a team this year, finishing sixth in the 14-team sectional, but Ruetz's performance will give the Hodags representation at the state meet in Wisconsin Rapids for the sixth time in the last nine years.
"It was an amazing feeling," said Ruetz, who bounced back from a seventh-place finish at the Great Northern Conference meet. "My last race I had some difficulties with my shoe. Coming in, knowing I'm going to add to my season was the greatest feeling I think I've ever felt."
The Hodag girls finished ninth out of 15 teams Saturday.
Ruetz covered the five kilometers in a near-personal best time of 17 minutes, 17.5 seconds and finished roughly 15 seconds ahead of the last individual qualifier - Antigo's Logan Higgins - in eighth. The top five finishers not already on a state-qualifying team advanced.
Following a slow start, Ruetz picked it up and was in the pack that was chasing a four-runner breakaway just after the mile mark. By the time the runners crossed over a bridge for the sprint to the finish line, he was comfortably situated in fifth.
"I just had to keep picking guys off one-by-one," he said. "By the two-mile marker, I kind of knew I was in the running and that's where I just kind of finished my race."
"He kept getting stronger. Seeing him just after the mile, I really felt confident that he was going to do it, and he did. He just had a great race," coach M.J. Laggis said. "When you're a senior, I'm just so happy for him - he and his family, what a great way to end your cross country season."
Ruetz was on Rhinelander's sectional runner-up team last year that went on to finish ninth at the state meet. While gratifying, he said qualifying as an individual felt different this time around.
"Last year, it was a team thing. We were all so happy together," he said. "This year it's more of a me thing. I'm earning it for myself, so it's almost more difficult to push yourself to get to that kind of level."
Ruetz's running mate much of the year, sophomore Greyson Gremban, came close to giving Rhinelander a second state qualifier. He finished ninth at 17:39.2, a mere 6.1 seconds behind Higgins for the final individual qualifying spot. Gremban was only a few lengths behind Higgins less than 500 meters to the finish, but lost the sprint to the line.
"Greyson really had a fantastic run and, at the end, he gets beat by a kid with a little more kick from Antigo and it's that's how the story goes," Laggis said. "That's cross country. He's a sophomore, that's the great news. He's got a couple of more licks at it, a couple of more times to try to do it. And he will. There's no doubt in my mind that he's gonna."
Junior Gavin Denis was Rhinelander's third finisher in 43rd (19:29.1), Olin Slette was 47th (19:35.7), Brody Kowieski was 53rd (19:56.5). Shawn Denis was 83rd (22:35.10).
"That group has got to be that wall a little closer to the front and they're just not there yet, but they have another year to try to do that," Laggis said. "The boys did a really nice job. They worked hard. They had great camaraderie. You've just got to be proud of them."
Two seniors helped pace the Hodag girls on Saturday. Juliana Smith was the team's top finisher, taking 25th overall (21:52.4). That ended up being 15 spots and 1 minute, 10 seconds outside of an individual qualifying position. Fellow senior Aubrey Younker was the team's third runner, in 49th overall (22:50.6).
"Juliana, true to her form, just got stronger as it went," Laggis said. "As a senior, she's a quiet leader, but I can't help but think about how athletic she looks as a runner right now compared to three years ago. It's been her being committed to being a runner. I'm really proud of her.
"Aubrey Younker really emerged as one of the best character, leader-type kids we've been around. She cares about everyone. She takes care of everyone on the team. Just an absolute winner of an individual and I'm so proud of her. That's the kind of person you want representing your program."
Leah Jamison came home 27th for the girls at 22:10.5. It completed a bounce-back season for the junior, who missed much of the 2021 campaign due to a hip injury.
"Leah Jamison, she came back from an injury-riddled year," Laggis said. "She was such a worker in the weight room and the miles in the summer. I'm really proud of her of having a great race."
Maria Hubler was 60th for Rhinelander (23:55.6) while Luna Grage finished 64th (24:01.3). Sophie Miljevich and Brynn Teter, were 74th and 78th, respectively.
Shawano and Freedom captured the team qualifying spots on the girls' side, with Northland Pines' Nora Gremban (18:47.0) taking individual honors. Lakeland, projected to finish fourth, upset Shawano by eight points for the sectional title. Lakeland's Owen Clark was the top finisher.
For Ruetz, the state meet will take place this Saturday at The Ridges in Wisconsin Rapids.
"It's my final race. I have to put it all on the line there," he said.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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