By David Paulsen
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Once again, the Waterford High School cross country squads began their seasons at the Menomonee Falls Grade Level Invite held Saturday at Rotary Park.
“It was a good start,” head coach Nate Schreiber said.
The invite has no team scoring as each runner competes against other athletes in the same grade.
For the Wolverine boys, senior Grant Brooks turned in the best time, completing the 5,000-meter course in 17 minutes 48.08 seconds.
Although that was 30 seconds faster than his time last year at the same event, Schreiber noted that Brooks had to battle through cramps.
“He’s in better shape than what he ran,” Schreiber said. “I felt bad for him.”
Three other seniors Zack Crafton (20:21.69), Gabriel Gasiorowski and Clay Zortman – all knocked more than a minute off their times last year at this event. Zortman (19:28.05) and Gasiorowski (19:48.96) both ran sub 20-minute races.
“It’s a good start,” Schreiber said. “I believe these guys have a lot more in them.”
The only other Waterford boy to turn in a sub 20-minute time was junior Mychal Grube (19:05.60). Schreiber noted Grube ended the season last fall in the mid 17s, and was slightly slower than last year’s time at this event.
“He needs to embrace the role of being one of our top runners,” Schreiber said.
Junior Nick Lancaster turned in a time of 20:34.73, which was over four minutes faster than last year’s time at this event, and almost one minute faster than his personal best last year.
“That’s unbelievable,” Schreiber said. “He’s run a lot this summer (over 250 miles). It was a great start for him. He’s in far better shape than last year.”
The best times among the freshmen and sophomore runners was turned in by sophomore Storm Modrak with a 20:14.13 and sophomore Lucas Singer with a 20:25.40.
The competition on the girls squad is heating up, with Schreiber noting that three runners are fighting for the top spots – seniors Jenny Gilbreath and Hannah Jost, and junior Kayla Kinateder.
Kinateder had the best time for the Wolverine girls, placing sixth in the junior race in 17:02.59.
“She’s going to be a force this year,” Schreiber said. “She’s making a push to be one of our top runners.”
Gilbreath, who was injured a good portion of last season, finished fifth in the senior race in 17:09.37.
“She adds a whole different dimension to this team,” Schreiber said. “She ran very well.”
Jost was eighth among all seniors in 17:27.88.
“She’s a great senior leader for us,” Schreiber added.
The fourth-best Wolverine girls’ time was turned in by sophomore Jennifer Murphy in 17:52.63. Makenna Reed was right behind Murphy in 17:56.53 (sixth fastest on the team).
“Hopefully, that can be a good dual,” Schreiber said. “Both are talented runners.”
Freshman Laura Dziak turned in the fifth-fastest Wolverine time in 17:53.44.
“Very excited about Laura,” Schreiber said. “I think she had a lot left in her. I think she’s going to be an incredible asset for us.”
The other Wolverine girl to turn in a sub 19-minute time was junior Valerie Knurr, who is in her second season of running.
“I think this will be a huge year for her,” Schreiber
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