Warrior runners charging forward with positive experience in St. Joe
By Lenny Sementi
Tuscola’s cross-country team traveled north to the St. Joseph for the Spartan Classic this past Saturday for one of the toughest small school showdowns in the state. Thirty-two schools filled up the streets of St. Joe for the 3-mile road course race at what is considered to be the half point of the season. Coach Mike Rosenbaum was proud of both his boys and girls teams.
“We were very excited to go to St. Joe for the highly anticipated Spartan Classic,” stated the coach. “It’s a race that is traditionally very fast, and it lived up to its high standards as we posted eight personal records and four season records. It gave us a true picture of where we stand with area teams. I was very pleased with how both teams competed, and I feel this weekend sets us up well for the second half of the season.”
Mason Day averaged five minutes and thirty seconds per mile touring the local 3-mile landscape, beating his personal best by eight ticks of the clock to cross the finish line in 16:41, leading the Warriors to a 13th place finish as a team. Sophomore Logan Wallace was next up cutting 40 seconds from his previous best taking 58th with a personal best 17:19. River Kanitz was the third scorer for Coach Rosenbaum, taking 73rd, setting a personal record as well posting a 17:37. Nicolas Woods as the fourth runner for Tuscola, and Riley Nolan was the fifth and final scorer. The duo both set personal records finishing within 10 seconds of each other with an 18:27 and 18:37, respectively.
Rosenbaum’s squad showed its depth at the seasons mid-point as both alternate runners also set personal records. Zach Mattingly turned in a 19:39. Tanner Campbell wasn’t far behind ending his day with a 20:34.
Brynn Tabeling went toe to toe with some of the best in the state entering the chute in a season best 20:28. The junior averaged 6:49 per mile helping the Lady Warriors to a 14th place finish as a team. First year runner Sage Stahler was next in line posting Tuscola’s second score taking 97th overall with a personal best 23:10. Makenzie Hershberger continues to go lower every meet out. The freshman was a few spots back finishing in the top 100 with a PR (23:25) of her own. Hannah Hornaday followed with the fourth score setting a season record taking 103rd in 23:34. Faithlyn Daugherty PR’d for the second time this year and rounded out the scoring posting a 23:56. Kenzi Heckler set a season record crossing the tape in 25:08 joining with Hannah Lemay to serve as alternates.
Rosenbaum’s teams both will compete at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul on Tuesday before taking on state ranked Monticello on Thursday at Lodge Park.