Girls’ XC: Myers, Teter narrowly miss state for RHS

COLBY — Breakout seasons for Rhinelander sophomore Macy Myers and senior Brynn Teter were tantalizingly close to concluding on the state’s biggest stage. 

The Hodags’ top two runners on the girls’ side scored top 10 finishes Friday but narrowly missed advancing to the WIAA state cross country meet following a Division 2 sectional in Colby.

Myers came home eighth in the field of 79 runners with a time of 20 minutes, 54.1 seconds while Teter was just 3.5 second further up the trail in ninth. Those results ended up being one and two positions, respectively, shy of making it to state — an honor that went to the top five individuals not already on a qualifying team. The cutline fell at seventh-place Stella Meza of Lakeland, who finished at 20:46.8.

“Macy was one spot out and Brynn two. Those two had really strong runs,” coach M.J. Laggis said. “Brynn was two places away from going to state. She’s been our fastest runner week in and week out all year long. I was really hoping she would get there, but I’m happy she had such a strong race today. Brynn had a really strong season so I’m really proud and happy for her.”

Overall, the Hodag girls placed sixth in the 12-team meet, placing five runners inside the top 50. 

The meet was the last for Teter as well as fellow seniors Sophie Miljevich (37th, 22:51.4) and Luna Grage (63rd, 24:54.1). 

“I thought for seniors today getting their last race in, I was really, really happy that Luna was able to race at the end of the season,” Laggis said. “She’s been hurt but, despite that, she’s been a really good leader. Sophie had a really nice race today, had a really good run and I was glad she ended her career with a good run.”

Freshman Gretchen Fiebke was Rhinelander’s fourth runner in 45th overall at 23:35.3. She was followed by sophomore Hayley Schiek in 46th (23:39.7) and sophomore Ella Miljevich in 51st (24:05.7). 

Tomahawk, projected third going into the sectional, placed five runners in the top 23 to edge Shawano by a point for the sectional crown. The GNC had three of the five individual state qualifiers, led by sectional champion Lindsay Kahn of Medford (19:53.3), Antigo’s Lillian L’Esperance in fifth (20:29.0) and Meza in seventh. 

The Hodag girls finished just shy of having their first representation at state since 2017, when Alayna Franson made the last of her three trips to Wisconsin Rapids. 

Though the Hodags are slated to lose three seniors off their varsity squad, Laggis said he’s hopeful that a number of returning underclassmen will set the stage for the future. 

“I really do believe that we’re going to get more and more competitive,” he said. “I just hope it keeps going in that direction. What these girls have started, I hope we can continue.” 

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].