Multiple Burlington runners record personal bests at SLC Relays

By Jason Arndt

Sports Correspondent

A year ago, Burlington High School’s cross country squad took third in the Southern Lakes Conference girls relay race.

This year, the Demons achieved the same result, but multiple runners notched personal best times at Wilmot High School Sept. 10.

Burlington coach Rick Kojeca was pleased with the team’s overall performance, but acknowledged there is always room for improvement.

“The girls did a remarkable job finishing third,” he said. “Both teams need to work on closing the gap from our 1-7 runners.”

Westosha Central won the girls race for the second year in a row, and took the boys race, to come away with the sweep.

Personal bests included sophomore Jessa Burling and junior Catie Arena and boys Sebastian Rediger, a junior, and freshman Alex Nienhaus.

Leading the Demons squad was sophomore Ashlyn Barry, who took second, and senior Meta Ehlen, claiming seventh.

Barry, who won the 2013 SLC relay as a freshman, clocked in at 20 minutes, 36.76 seconds, taking second behind Westosha Central sophomore Meghan Capra.

With Capra finishing 35 seconds ahead of the competition, Barry and five runners behind her ran a tight contest.

Three seconds separating each athlete, including Ehlen, who finished at 21:18.03, six seconds ahead of eighth place Riley McMahon of Union Grove.

Along with Barry and Ehlen, Koceja was impressed with Burling’s 16th place finish at 22:17.94 and Arena, who took 32nd with a time of 23:53.00.

“Ashlyn and Meta both ran smart, competitive races,” Koceja said. “Jessa Burling and Catie Arena had a personal best on a wet, soft and slow course.”

While the girls took third among eight schools, the boys came away with a seventh-place finish, but Koceja acknowledged the Demons’ top finisher, junior Dakota Taylor, is still learning to lead following a 23^rd-place finish, registering in at 19:00.38.

“Dakota Taylor did a nice job being the lead runner for the Demons, which is a new role for him, he ran a gutty race,” Koceja said.

Results

Burlington girls: 2. Ashlyn Barry 20:36.76, 7. Meta Ehlen 21:18.03, 16. Jessa Burling 22:17.94, 34. Catie Arena 23:53.00, 43. Shauna Drew 24:36.49.

Burlington boys: 23. Dakota Taylor 19:00.38, 62. Coi Hansen 20:21.58, 64. Declan Kipp 20:22.13, 98. Alex Nienhaus 21:22.65, 116 Sebastien Rediger 21:49.84.