hale XC- Sectional Recap and state preview

Saturday was an emotional day, with some really special things and some really hard things.

If you weren't there or didn't see results, the boys ran outstanding. Running for each other and pushing themselves to new depths, all 7 boys either essentially matched their PR (Koda, Ethan and Preston) or PR'd (Joseph and Henry each PR'd by about 25 seconds each and Caleb and Evan by about 10 seconds each)!    You couldn't ask for a better day from our guys, putting it all on the line and maximizing our outcome.  I'm so proud of how they competed and they should be too!

The hard part of the day was we came so close as a team to making it to WIAA State, as we took 3rd place by just 1 point.  In fact, it was an extremely close race between 4 teams: the 2nd place team scored 102 points, we scored 103, 4th scored 106 and 5th was 115.  It was the best race for the last spot in the State amongst all 10 Sectionals and it was painful to come so close to winning that battle.  

Despite us not getting the outcome we wanted as a team, I am so proud of our boys' efforts and know that, although these moments are painful, we can grow from disappointments.  Without the pain of disappointment, the moments of success wouldn't be as meaningful.  This is just one chapter of their stories and there are more chapters ahead, whether that be in high school or beyond.  I'm hopeful that this end to the chapter will lead to more beautiful things in future chapters.  I'm so proud of our boys for putting it all on the line, going for what they wanted, and competing for each other.   

And, despite not getting the team outcome we were hoping for, guys hopefully realize that we had a really high-quality season as a team.   In a 12-team WIAA Sectional, we were 3rd, meaning we finished 9-2 (beat 9 teams, only losing to 2), which is a very good record because we are a very good team that had a very good season.  Our boys should be proud of the season they put together and our returners will look to grow from here.  


Finally, although we didn't get the team outcome we wanted, we DEFINITELY have some outcomes to celebrate as a team; the boys had two individual WIAA State qualifiers!!!!

Special congratulations to Koda Bruner and Ethan Plier on punching their tickets to the WIAA State Meet next weekend in Wisconsin Rapids!  It is a testament to their hard work this season and over the years previous, as it takes many miles over many seasons to get to where these kids are.  There are only 5 individual qualifiers per Sectional, so it is quite the honor for these kids to represent Hale at State!  

Also worth noting, the girls had Piper Meunier qualify as an Individual as well! Congratulations to her and the girls squad on their season as well!  

We will be excited to support these three athletes as they compete next weekend!


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Here's the info you need for State week:

We have practice all week (Monday through Thursday at 3:15pm).  We would love for all athletes to join us for that, continually training with Koda and Ethan.  

State Fan Sweatshirts
We will be selling State Fan sweatshirts, with our three qualifiers names on the back.  They will be $20 each and money will be due upon pick up on Friday (or Saturday, we'll bring them to the meet).  

**The sweatshirt this year will be grey, with green print**

Orders for fan sweatshirts are due Monday by 9am, so please email me if you would like one ASAP!





WIAA State Details:2025 State Boys & Girls Cross Country Championships
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025
Ridges Golf Course, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
2025 WIAA State Championships: Live results link LIVE LINK
Boys' Competition
Division 3 - Noon - Division 3 Boys 
Division 2 - 12:35 p.m. - Division 2 Boys 
Division 1 - 1:10 p.m. - Division 1 Boys 
Girls' Competition
Division 3 - 1:45 p.m. - Division 3 Girls 
Division 2 - 2:25 p.m. - Division 2 Girls 
Division 1 - 3:05 p.m. - Division 1 Girls 


To buy tickets, here is the link:
https://gofan.co/event/4046286?schoolId=WIAA2

Parking is $10 per vehicle and info for that can be found here:
https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Sports/Cross_Country/2025/Parking%20Shuttle%2025.jpg?ver=NPj1mJ5jDmYdKJEGEIiQoA%3d%3d

Course map:
https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Sports/Cross_Country/2024-WIAA-CC-terrain-profile.pdf

Meet apparel info:
https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Sports/Cross_Country/2025/2025%20Clothing%20Color-Cost%20to%20Post%20Online%20and%20Email%20to%20Coaches%20-%20Clothing%20Sizes%20Ordered%20for%20WIAA%20State%20CC%20(2).pdf?ver=bVkKaETjdMS05C-257Kbtg%3d%3d






Looking forward to a fun week!  

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