Gessner repeats as Division I state champion

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Madison West won its third Division 1 boys title in five years and Sun Prairie won its first ever state title in girls cross country on Saturday at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin.

The headliner, however, was Madison La Follette senior Finn Gessner, who repeated his individual crown with 15:22.2. The Wisconsin-bound Gessner, who was 11th at Foot Locker last December, was the dominant runner of the meet and won by 16 seconds.

Sophomore Drew Bosley of Homestead was second in 15:38.8.

PHOTOS by Carol Chen

Madison West pulled out a 130-137 win over Arrowhead thanks to a big advantage at No. 5. Jack Reed scored 42 points (68th overall) for Madison West, while Arrowhead's fifth scored 62 (98th overall). Both Arrowhead and third-place Middleton had faster five-man averages and cumulative times than Madison West. 

In the girls Division 1 race, Sun Prairie scored 82 points for a comfortable win over Arrowhead (162) and Kettle Moraine (175). Sun Prairie put three in the top 25 overall. 

Meghan Scott from Divine Savior Holy Angels, a junior, won the race in 18:10.5, pulling away late from Whitefish Bay's Cami Davre to win by 14 seconds. 

Lakeland pulled out the boys D2 title in a hotly contested battle where five teams were separated by 13 points. Lakeland scored 105 points and was seven ahead of second-place Valders. Xavier senior Luke Bailey ran 15:44.8 for the win. 

East Troy had the fastest fourth and fifth girls in the field and won the D2 team championship. Sophomore Dana Feyen of Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau won the race in 18:21.5.

Darlington won the smallest-school D3 title with 68 points. Sophomore David Vannucchi from Luther ran 15:59.4 for a six-second victory.

Darlington made it a sweep with a four-point victory in the girls race over Lourdes Academy. Noelle Maire from Belleville, a senior, ran 19:12.8 for the individual title.