7 WiscNews-area girls cross country runners to watch for this season (2024)

Area cross country runners have their eyes set on a trip to Wisconsin Rapids for the WIAA cross country championships scheduled for Nov. 2.

Runners will strive for personal records and try to help their respective teams claim conference titles before the postseason begins.

Here are seven girls cross country runners to watch for this fall.

Mallory Kohn, Sr., Dodgeland

Things to know:Mallory Kohn was honored with a selection to the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association's All-State second team last season.

The Dodgeland senior finished sixth in Division 3 with a time of 19 minutes and 11.9 seconds to reach the podium. Kohn's performance was a team best and helped the Trojans place fifth in the team competition.

She also won the Kenosha St. Joseph sectional last year in 18:53.82, propelling Dodgeland to a sectional title.

Madilyn Gilbert, Jr., Baraboo

Things to know:Madilyn Gilbert has a personal record of 20:35.6, and "one goal we have for her this season is breaking 20 minutes," Baraboo coach Julie Faylona said.

Setting a personal record could earn Gilbert her first state championships appearance, an achievement a Baraboo runner hasn't claimed since 2012.

"Madi is successful because she has an excellent work ethic and a competitive mindset," Faylona said. "In practice she sometimes forgets to listen to her body or adjust her training based on how she feels that day. But I think Madi is improving on finding a good balance with training hard, while also remembering the importance of rest and recovery."

Charlotte Gregg, Jr., Sauk Prairie

Things to know:Sauk Prairie coach Andy Sherman said Charlotte Gregg's combination of endurance and speed is what allows her to compete with the best runners.

The junior already holds the Eagles' cross country record with 19:45 and was the school's lone state qualifier last season.

Gregg is Sauk Prairie's top runner again this season and hopes to lower her time of 20:48.7 at this year's state championships.

“Charlotte has tremendous talent but the one area that we are going to work on improving is in-race strategies,” Sherman said. “By working through different scenarios, I’m hoping that we can help Charlotte become a very successful racer.”

Blake Brancel, Jr., Portage

Things to know:Blake Brancel returns to her position as Portage's top runner and team captain this fall. The junior was the team's best performer at the Portage sectional last season, finishing 60th with a time of 22:57.00.

Brancel also finished 39th at the Badger Small Conference meet to end the regular season. However, her top five miles came during the Laconia Invitational on Oct. 3, when she ran 24:16.52 to place seventh in the competition.

“We expect Blake to not only lead the team to one of the best seasons we’ve had in recent years but also be one of our top front runners this season,” Portage coach Kari Krakow said. “Blake always rises to the occasion, so I expect her to not settle and keep pace with whoever is leading the team that day.”

Piper Johnson, Sr., Poynette

Things to know:The reigning Capitol North Conference champion hails from Poynette, as Piper Johnson looks to defend her title this fall.

The incoming senior won the conference title with a time of 20:36.6, according to wi.milesplit.com and hopes to lower that mark to become a state qualifier this year.

“Piper has run some pretty fast track times and was very close to breaking 20:00 last fall,” Poynette coach Kevin Frehner said. “She has the willingness to put in the work necessary to improve and has been committed to doing the necessary work both during the year and also the offseason.”

Abby Roecker, Sr., Waupun

That perseverance helped the incoming senior earn a time of 23:13.00 at the Portage sectional last season, a mark she intends to steadily decrease throughout the year.

Roecker is one of several returning Warriors battling to become the team's top runner, as they look to replace their lone state qualifier from last year inJosie Kooima.

“Abby’s work ethic is fantastic and I think that's going to set her up for a successful season,” Waupun coach Bailey Bille said. “We have a talented team this year and all the girls put in the work during the offseason to be very competitive, we just need to make sure we perform that way on race day.”

Bree Motsenbocker, So., Pardeeville

Things to know:Bree Motsenbocker earned six top-five finishes during her freshman campaign. That includes placing third at the Pioneer, Portage and Laconia invitationals.

The incoming sophomore earned her personal record at the Trailways Conference championships on Oct. 12, racing to a time of 20:40.6, according to athletic.net.

Motsenbocker hopes to improve upon her successful first year of varsity cross country and push her personal record to under 20 minutes.

Schools in the WiscNews coverage area are: Beaver Dam, Waupun, Columbus, Dodgeland, Horicon, Hustisford, Fall River, Rio, Randolph, Cambria-Friesland, Wayland Academy, Central Wisconsin Christian, Portage, Poynette, Pardeeville, Lodi, Sauk Prairie, Reedsburg, Baraboo, Wisconsin Dells and Mauston.