Holtzen, Reece run way to league honors

By Andy Brown
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Updated: October 20, 2015

Isabelle Holtzen sprints toward the finish line during the Frontier League meet Thursday at Lewis-Young Park. Holtzen finished 15th overall to earn a league medal and honorable mention all-league honors.

Louisburg High School sophomores Isabelle Holtzen and Wyatt Reece picked a great time to run one of the best races of their short varsity careers.

During the Frontier League cross country meet Thursday, Holtzen and Reece ran with the league’s best and picked up some honors in the process. The Wildcat duo each earned a top-20 finish, and with that, both were recognized with honorable mention all-league honors.

For the second week in a row, the Wildcats had the opportunity to run on their home course at Lewis-Young Park and Holtzen and Reece took advantage.

Holtzen came up big as she recorded a personal best time of 21 minutes and 43 seconds to finish 15^th overall and secure the last medal spot. She sprinted with Spring Hill’s Allison Kosberg to the finish line for 14^th place, but Kosberg won by .01 seconds.

“Isabelle ran great,” Louisburg coach John Reece said. “I have always said if you go out and PR (personal record) good things happen and they did for her. She made moves when needed and her and the Spring Hill girl dueled it out to the end which got both of them medals.”

Wyatt Reece ran just short of his personal best time in the boys’ race, but he still ran an 18:03 to come in 19^th overall and get all-league honors.

Wyatt Reece earned honorable mention all-Frontier League honors following the league race Thursday at Lewis-Young Park.

“Wyatt turned in a great race as well,” coach Reece said. “He is continuing to improve his racing not only in time but in competitiveness. He again made some big moves in the last 1,200 meters to put himself in 19th place. He has put in the time, like the rest of his teammates both boys and girls, to give himself the opportunity to do something special at the end of the season.”

In the team standings, the Louisburg girls came in sixth in what it is a very competitive Frontier League with 161 points. Baldwin won the league crown with 19 points and De Soto was second with 72.

On the boys’ side, the Wildcats finished seventh with 191 points. Baldwin completed the sweep to win the league title with 30 points and De Soto was second with 51.

“Our kids always work hard and embrace the quality of our league,” coach Reece said. “I think this is true in all sports. They ran well and improved their times from the week before which is what a coach likes to see.”

In the girls’ race, sophomore Savannah Reinhart was second on the Louisburg team in 30^th overall with a time of 23:00 and teammate Madelynn Yalowitz was 33^rd in 23:10. Juniors Liz Hildreth (24:24) and Kaitlyn Gaza (24:29) came in 47^th and 48^th, respectively.

Seniors Abby Bergman (25:27) and Maddie McDaniel (25:32) took 57^th and 58^th and freshman Alex Miller (25:38) was 60^th.

Lilly Mick (61^st), Mara Justesen (62^nd), Lexie Reece (63^rd), Bryn O’Meara (70^th), Lily Cook (72^nd), Cierra Rose (74^th), Tomi Frederes (75^th), Alexa Goodspeed (76^th), Hailey Crowder (77^th), Grace Rolofson (79^th) and Ryan Caldwell (80^th) also ran for the Lady Cats.

Senior Devyn Small was second on the Wildcat boys’ squad as he came in 49^th overall in 19:43. Junior Austin Raetzel was 66^th in 20:27, senior Zach Minor was 68^th in 20:31 and senior Eddie Murphy was 73^rd 20:46.

Jarod Rose (74^th), Bryce Kuhlman (81^st), Spencer Rogers (91^st), Kennedy Unthank (94^th) and Michael Shaner (96^th) rounded out the Louisburg lineup.

The Wildcats will now prepare for their final meet of the season Saturday. Louisburg will run in the regional meet in Garnett at the Garnett Golf Course – the same course where it opened its season. The first race is set to begin at 10:30 a.m.