The Oriole Cross County team closed the 2025 season this year in back to back events at Rice Lake and Unity High School in Balsam Lake.
Top finisher for the girls at Rice Lake was Mariah Wehling, finishing the 5000 meter run in 20:54 for 23rd place, followed by Haylee Shakal in 27th with 21:08.30. Lucy Wundrow made 41st with a time of 21:46.80. Ava Kempf finished 64th with a time of 23:29.30, Annelyse Kramschuster finished 83rd with a time of 24:56.4, Koraline Pennalla finished 87th with a time of 25:46.4, and Ziva Blair finished 97th with a time of 29:50.4.
Top finisher for the Oriole boys at Balsam Lake meanwhile was John Smit in 20th place with 18:07.40, followed by Cameron Natzke in 40th with 19:06.30. Hunter Ogle took 62nd with 19:55.30, Seth Lilla took 97th with a time of 22:12.4, Eli Lilla took 103rd with a time of 22:12.4, and Lance Kelly took 110th with a time of 23:15.8. Ben Henderson took 114th with time of 23:55.6.
Orioles Head Cross Country Coach Nick Mahr shared more on how things went at sectionals.
“Although we didn’t advance anyone to the state meet we ended our season well,” he said. “The girls all turned in great times running against Division 2 competition at Rice Lake. A lot of personal bests, which is an awesome way to end the season. The boys faced a tough course on Saturday in Balsam Lake, which unfortunately made it hard to post good times, but they showed their grit running hard up hills and through mud in a race with 124 competitors in it.”
Now in the off season, the Orioles return to competition next fall.