Central boys, girls runners look to compete for top spot in conference
The Central cross country team includes (front, left to right) Caden Fette, Ashlyn Scherf, Jaydin Dettman, Madylen Gregerson, Declan Finley, coach Mark Bauder; (middle) Audrey Palas, Layla Embretson, Aspen Rork, Coral Rork, Hannah Friedlein; (back) assistant coach Ashley Funk, Alexis Thiese, Gavin Holst, Henry Reimer, Vaughan Zittergruen, Carter Krugger, Carson Ruegnitz, Michael White, Jesse Polkinghorn and Bryce Heller. (Photo courtesy of Central Tatler)
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
Optimism reigns supreme for the upcoming Central cross country season. The boys team returns all of its runners from a year ago and looks to build on experience. Then, despite losing five seniors, the girls team is coming into the season motivated to fill the gaps left behind and compete at a high level.
At the top of the list is competing for top three in conference on the boys side, a charge being led by Gavin Holst. The girls will be led by all-conference runner Jaydin Dettman, while “working early in the season to gradually build up experience at the varsity level,” coach Mark Bauder said.
“Our biggest goal is to daily get a little better, whether it’s a workout or a meet. Just be patient and keep getting a little better each day. After that, we will work for each team to gel as the season goes on and set sights on finishing as high as possible in our conference and district meets,” Bauder continued.
The team is in an unfamiliar position, relative to recent history. They actually have more boys than girls, by the count of 10 to nine, which means the girls won’t be able to compete in both JV and varsity meets, while the boys will. The situation is reversed from previous years.
“Probably our main weakness will be our numbers—not being able to compete at both JV and varsity levels. But with cross country, that isn’t as big of a weakness because everyone will still run the 5K race each meet and can still continue to gain experience and conditioning,” Bauder explained.
As far as team strengths go, the Warriors have “great leaders,” as well as a solid core of runners who want to “work hard and get better,” Bauder said.
It’s something Central will need to rely on in a conference with challenging competition coming from North Fayette Valley and South Winneshiek on the boys side, while MFL MarMac, along with the aforementioned teams, represent the biggest challenges for the girls.
“We will need our younger runners and our upperclassmen to be ready to step in very soon to the varsity level. It’s hard to predict who will be able to do that, but we do have people who can,” Bauder said.
Bauder believes the competition among boys teams could be wide open, while possibilities exist for both Holst and Dettman to have a “solid chance to qualify” for state.
“Under their leadership, there are also teammates who have potential if they continue to work hard, stay healthy and believe it’s possible,” Bauder said.
The success of the program also relies on the fact Bauder has been around for decades, creating known expectations for students who join the team and want to participate in cross country. It’s a program that has demonstrated success, so when athletes are tasked with something like workouts the effort is always there.
“Each runner truly is responsible for their own improvements and success by understanding that every day they all have an opportunity to work hard, be positive and be patient with small victories,” Bauder said.
Central’s season was slated to start Aug. 22, at Ed-Co, but the meet was cancelled due to the heat.
