Off to state

They’ve been at the front of the pack all season long. They seemingly have jet fuel in their veins. And the competition has often been in the rearview mirror for Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld cross country standouts Christian Patzka and Samantha Herrling. It was much of the same last Saturday at the WIAA Division 3 Boscobel Sectional. Patzka, a senior, won the boys race, while Herrling a freshman, won the girls race. Both now advance to the state meet Saturday at Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. The girls’ race is at 1:20 p.m. and the boys will run at 3:10 p.m. “We knew they just had to run relaxed races in order to make it through sectionals,” Vanguards coach Sara Boutelle said. “Their goals are to place in the top-10 at state, with the possibility of top finishes very much alive.” Boscobel won the boys title with 70 points, while Iowa-Grant was second at 85. Darlington was third with 99, Poynette was fourth (114) and Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld was fifth (164). Patzka won the boys race in 16 minutes, 17.0 seconds, well ahead of runner-up Nick Connolly of Iowa Grant (16:43.6). The Vanguards also counted an 11th place finish from senior Zach Bauman (17:44), while sophomore Weston Parman was 18th (18:15), senior Cody Amble was 65th (19:56) and freshman Andrew Pietrzykowski was 69th (20:02). Lancaster won the girls’ race with 80 points and Darlington was second (83). Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld was sixth overall with 194. Herrling won the race in 19:06.6, well ahead of runner-up Katelyn Chadwick of Poynette (19:20.7). In addition to Herrling, Vanguards’ sophomore Greine Simmert was 26th (22:11), senior Kassidy Frame was 36th (22:43), junior Brianna Herrling was 53rd (23:57) and sophomore Emma Gordon was 78th (26:48). “Our teams finished with many personal best times, which is all you can ask for at the end of the season,” Boutelle said. “In a tough sectional, finishing that high is a success and something to be proud of.” DIVISION 3 BOSCOBEL SECTIONAL Boys Team scores — Boscobel 70; Iowa-Grant 85; Darlington 99; Poynette 114; Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld 164; Wauzeka-Steuben 196; Fennimore 198; Lancaster 200; Pecatonica/Argyle 241; River Ridge 245; Riverdale 252; Orfordville Parkview 289; Albany 298; Belleville 311; Madison Country Day/Abundant Life 341; De Soto 510; North Crawford 560. Top five individuals — 1, Patzka, WHB, 16:17; 2, Connolly, IG, 16:44; 3, Ritzke, Poy, 16:53; 4, Reichmann, WS, 17:05; 5, Aide, IG, 17:06. Individual state qualifiers — 1, Patzka, WHB, 16:17; 3, Ritzke, Poy, 16:53; 4, Reichmann, WS, 17:05; 6, Barry, Fen, 17:10; 8, Karavergos, Shullsburg, 17:31. Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld: 1, Patzka 16:17; 11, Bauman 17:44; 18, Parman 18:15; 65, Amble 19:56; 69, Pietrzykowski 20:02. Girls Team scores — Lancaster 80; Darlington 83; Boscobel 95; Poynette 105; Albany 116; Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld 194; River Ridge 230; Riverdale 245; Iowa-Grant 259; Madison St. Ambrose 264; Fennimore 290; North Crawford 290; Belleville 296; Orfordville Parkview 326; De Soto 380; Pecatonica/Argyle 407; Madison Country Day/Abundant Life incomplete. Top five individuals — 1, S. Herrling, WHB, 19:07; 2, Chadwick, Poy, 19:21; 3, Burks, Lan, 19:58; 5, Meister, Dar, 20:14; 6, Carstens, NC, 20:18. Individual state qualifiers — 1, S. Herrling, WHB, 19:07; 2, Chadwick, Poy, 19:21; 4, Whinney, MCD, 20:07; 6, Carstens, NC, 20:18; 8, Brown, Bos, 20:28. Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld: 1, S. Herrling 19:07; 26, Simmert 22:11; 36, Frame 22:43; 53, B. Herrling 23:57; 78, Gordon 26:48.