![The varsity girls' cross country team poses with the state championship trophy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1730916170/usmk12org/jvlxbse8ro9e5fvlvtw4/IMG_2732_WR_homepage_new.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1730916170/usmk12org/jvlxbse8ro9e5fvlvtw4/IMG_2732_WR_homepage_new.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1730916170/usmk12org/jvlxbse8ro9e5fvlvtw4/IMG_2732_WR_homepage_new.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1730916170/usmk12org/jvlxbse8ro9e5fvlvtw4/IMG_2732_WR_homepage_new.jpg","width":1000}])
In only their second attempt at a Division 2 state championship, the University School of Milwaukee girls’ varsity cross country team took the coveted title at the WIAA Boys and Girls Cross Country Championships held on Saturday, Nov. 2 at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. And for the first time ever in the school’s history, both the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams competed together at the state championship.
Seniors Bella Grenier ’25 (18:24) and Annie Norman ’25 (18:32.7) led the girls’ efforts, with Grenier finishing in 5th place with a time of 18:24, and Norman finishing 6th at 18:32.7. Cate Kohli ’27 (19:08.2, 10th), Anastasia Marich ’26 (20:06.8, 35th), and Lucy Konkol ’27 (20:26.3, 54th) completed the top five scoring results for USM, with Ainsley Polston ’28 (20:54.9, 78th) and Sloan Becker ’28 (21:09.3, 87th) also contributing for the Wildcats. At last year’s competition—the girls’ first showing at state—the team finished in 7th place. "We focused on what each of us could do to have our best race that day," said Grenier. "We could not control how our competitors would race, but we knew that if we went out there and trusted ourselves and one another that the result would come."
“Coach Joe Eason, coach Emily Foley, and I could not be more proud of this truly exceptional team,” said head coach Eric Pilling. “They have been singularly focused on this goal ever since last year. It is one thing to have goals and expectations (both internal and external) throughout the season. But what makes this group so impressive is their poise, confidence, and absolutely perfect execution on that one day that matters the most. It was a total team effort. All seven contributed, and to score 60 points with three runners in the top 10 is nothing short of dominant.”
For the boys, USM faced stiff competition and took home 8th place. Austin Jarmuz ’27 (16:15.4, 12th), Beckett Newman ’28 (16:54.5, 33rd), Kiran Siddalingaiah ’25 (17.25.2, 62nd), Owen Birchall ’25 (18:19.6, 117th), and Alex Frick ’25 (18:23.9, 122nd) were the top five scorers for USM, while Milo Meyer ’25 (18.47.6, 132nd) and Jake Raymond ’27 (19:26.9, 144th) rounded out the team’s competitors. “For the third week in a row the boys also rose to the occasion and were rewarded with a really strong team result,” added Pilling.
Congratulations to the entire USM cross country program for an amazing season!
- Athletics
