Four Wildcat runners medal at opening meet

By Andy Brown
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Updated: September 8, 2015

Louisburg sophomore Isabelle Holtzen stays with a group of runners during the Jerry Howarter Invitational on Thursday at the Garnett Golf Course. Holtzen led Louisburg in 14th place and was one of four varsity runners to medal.

GARNETT – For the last several years, the Louisburg cross country teams have started their season at the Jerry Howarter Invitational in Garnett and it is considered one of their toughest races of the year.

It didn’t seem to bother many of the Wildcat runners – even the new ones.

Louisburg medaled four varsity runners between the two teams, including two newcomers to the team. Isabelle Holtzen, Savannah Reinhart and Liz Hildreth picked up medals on the girls side, while Wyatt Reece got some hardware in the boys division.

The Garnett Golf Course features several hills in the 5-kilometer race, including a steep climb to the finish line that doesn’t give the runners much time to relax.

“Anderson County is always tough because it is the first meet of the season and the course has long gradual up-hills which really work the legs, and the up-hill finish does not help much either,” Louisburg coach John Reece said.

Holtzen, a sophomore, led the Wildcat girls team as they ran their first-ever 5K race. Holtzen finished 14^th in 24 minutes and 1 second, as the top 30 in each varsity race picked up medals.

Reinhart and Hildreth, both newcomers to the team, also garnered medals. Reinhart, a sophomore, came in 19^th overall in 24:20 and Hildreth, a junior, was 30^th with a time of 25:29.

“I was very happy to see them run well,” coach Reece said. “With Savannah and Liz competing for the first time made it even better. Isabelle ran a great race to lead the team.”

Junior Kaitlyn Gaza was fourth on the team as she ran a 26:20 to come in 36^th. Senior Abby Bergman finished 39^th in 26:33.

Louisburg senior Devyn Small leads a pack of runners up a hill during Thursday’s season opening meet in Garnett.

Senior Maddie McDaniel (30:17) and sophomore Lilly Mick (30:49) came in 45^th and 47^th, respectively, to round out the Lady Cat team. As a team, the Lady Cats were fifth with 98 points, just seven points out of third.

Baldwin won the meet with 19 points and Eudora was second with 77.

On the boys side, sophomore Wyatt Reece had a strong opening race to get his first medal. Reece came in 27^th overall in 20:10 to pace an inexperienced Wildcat team.

“Wyatt earned his first medal of the year with a solid race,” coach Reece said. “He is also joined by a few new runners to the sport that gained much needed experience. I am excited to see how they continue to improve as the season continues.”

Senior Devyn Small finished just outside of medal contention as he came in 39^th overall in 21:26. Fellow senior Zach Minor came in 47^th in 22:10 and junior Austin Raetzel took 51^st in 22:37.

Senior Ben Brummel (22:52), sophomore Jarod Rose (23:14) and senior Spencer Rogers (23:45) rounded out the Wildcat team in 54^th, 56^th and 60^th place, respectively.

As a team, the Wildcats were seventh with 198 points. Baldwin came in first with 27 points and Eudora was second with 47.

Junior Madelynn Yalowitz normally runs with the varsity girls, but she is working her way back from an injury and is currently running on the junior varsity level. She had a strong finish as she ran 25:58 to finish fourth and also earned a medal.

Lexie Reece (28^th), Alex Miller (30^th), Tomi Frederes (31^st), Mara Justesen (32^nd) and Alexa Goodspeed (36^th) also ran for Louisburg.

Eddie Murphy (16^th) led the junior varsity boys in 22:58 and Michael Shaner (50^th) ran a 27:23.

Anderson County also held a beginner’s race as several Louisburg runners got their feet wet in the shorter 2 mile run.

Bryn O’Meara came in third overall in the girls division in 18:05 and teammate Lily Cook was fifth in 18:38. Hailey Crowder (ninth), Cierra Rose (11^th), Ryan Caldwell (17^th) and Grace Rolofson (19^th) also ran for the Lady Cats.

Freshman Bryce Kuhlman led the boys side in second overall with a time of (14:17). Gareth Baus (10^th) and Kennedy Unthank (13^th) also competed for Louisburg.