The Bulldogs Girls Cross Country team competed in two races the past week, both hard fought and resulting in the team continuing to earn personal records.

Saturday the team competed at the Alexandria Meet of Champions. The name was true to form as the top seven teams were all listed in the top state rankings.

The day was wet and soggy with lots of mud due to all the recent rain, which continued throughout the day of the meet. The rain and mud made for slippery conditions, causing many of the athletes to fall during their races.

Even with the less than ideal conditions, the Bulldogs fought through and five runners earned personal records during the meet.

“There were 138 finishers in the varsity race,” said Coach Trish Reimer Kealy. “It gets very crowded at this level and we got good experience to help us at sections.”

Lexi Dehmer was once again the team’s first runner, placing 41st with a time of 20.03.3. Ella McDonald had a breakthrough race for the team and was their second runner, finishing 73rd with a personal record time of 20:43.8.

Alexis Rose placed 81st (21:08.5), Natasha Berthiaume 93rd (21:31.1), and Abby Nelson rounded out the scoring team, coming in at 21:39.8.

Battling illness and a few falls, Dani Nuest struggled a bit, placing 105th (21:55.3), and Morgan Vee finished out the varsity team at 110th (22:31.4).

The JV team had a good day, with 277 runners in their race. Nora Pilarski paced the girls, placing 46th with a time of 22:02.5. She was followed closely by Alexa Voller in 56th (22:10.3). 

Hannah Dierkes was the team’s third runner in 69th with a time of 22:30.8, right behind her was Bella Duncombe in 72nd (22:35.1), with the final scoring runner, Jaden Kraus, in 77th (22:38.5).

The remaining team members also ran well, with Kayla Greens at 22:45.0, Regan Hausmann with a personal record at 23:40.01, Shelby Dawson with a personal record at 23:41.3, Raegan Leaders with a personal record at 24:53.3, Callie Doucette at 24.57.9, and Grace Wilhem with a personal record at 26.42.8.

In the 3200 meter race the Jr. High team was led by Alea Briggs (15.09.9), Natalie Trenz (15.10.0), Olivia Babler (15.11.7) Anna Kuklok (15:29.7) Anikah Hall (16:18.2) and Emilia Hansen (16:40.5).

Tuesday the team traveled to Princeton for the Tiger Invitational, where the Bulldogs placed 3rd out of 10 teams in the varsity meet with a score of 79, behind Monticello, 37, and Princeton, 73.

Abby Nelson placed 13th overall to lead the team, with Alexa Voller and Morgan Vee close behind, placing 15th (21:51.5) and 18th (21:54.5) respectively.

Hannah Dierkes placed 19th (22:01.8), Nora Pilarski 24th (22:22.8), Jaden Kraus 35th (23.04.9), and Bella Duncombe 47th (23:45.0). There were 78 total runners in the race.

The JV team came in 2nd out of eight teams, with 77 total runners in the race. 

Kayla Gruenes ran a time of 23:00.9 for 3rd place, Regan Hausmann was 6th (24.00.9), Jess Gruenes 8th (24:06.5), Shelby Dawson 10th (24:32.0), Raegan Leaders 23rd (25:41.5), Callie Doucette 39th (26.24.0), Maddie McDonald 41st (26:28.5) and Grace Wilhelm 52nd (27:28.5)

Anna Kuklok was Becker’s first runner in the 3000 meter Jr. High race. The teams other runners were Alea Briggs, Natalie Trenz, Olivia Babler, Emilia Hansen, Anikah Hall and MacKenna Smith.

The Bulldogs Girls Cross Country team next competes at the Mississippi 8 Conference Championship meet Oct. 15 at St. Francis.