By Alanna Huggett, UWEC Sports Information
CUBA CITY, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire women's cross country team competed at the 2019 WIAC Cross Country Championship meet on Saturday. UW-Platteville hosted the meet at the Cole Acres Golf Course. The Blugolds ran well, placing 1st at the meet, scoring 27 points. This is the 3rd year in a row the women's team has won the WIAC championship meet. Lexie Tremble (Sr. – Muskego, WI) was the overall WIAC champion.
Despite a muddy course on Saturday, the Blugolds had a successful turnout at the WIAC Championship meet.
Tremble ran a time of 23:15.8, earning 1st team All-Conference honors.
Going into the race Tremble said she was confident in her training and wanted to help the team be successful.
"This is the first college race I've ever won and to have it be at this meet (WIAC conference) was really fun. I'm just happy to have done all I could to help lead the team to conference champions," Tremble said.
Crossing the finish line right behind Tremble was Emma Drangstveit (Jr. – Lakeville, MN/Lakeville North). Drangstveit finished in 2nd place with a time of 23:22.8. Drangstveit also earned 1st team All-Conference honors. Following Drangstveit was Naomi Long (So. – Medina, MN/Wayzata). Long finished 7th with a time of 24:00.8. Long also earned 1st team All-Conference award.
Lizzy Cisewski (Jr. – Stevens Point, WI/Pacelli) finished 8th overall with a time of 24:02.4. Cisewski earned 2nd team All-Conference honors. Hannah Lamack (Jr. – Kewaunee, WI) placed 9th with a time of 24:02.6, right behind her teammate. Lamack earned 2nd team All-Conference honors.
Teagan Monfils (Jr. – Shawano, WI) placed 17th with a time of 24:29.8. Monfils earned All-Conference Honorable mention and was named to the WIAC All-Conference Sportsmanship team. Ashley Kachurik (Fr. – Wadsworth, IL/Warren Township) rounded out the top 7 for the team. Kachurik placed 22nd with a time of 24:44.2.
Tremble said the team's strategy was not let the "tough mudder" conditions of the course to impact their race and to be positive.
"The outlook the girls bring into each race is something I really love about our team. We went into the race trusting our training and eager to work together in hopes of winning another conference title," Tremble said.
Tremble said she was very proud of the way everyone raced on Saturday. The team's performance has her excited to see what the Blugolds can accomplish together the rest of the season.
"It was a memorable day for the women's team winning their 3rd consecutive WIAC team title, and having six individuals earn All-Conference honors, and Lexie Tremble capturing the individual conference title," said Schwamberger.
Schwambeger also said that Tremble is only the 4th woman in UWEC school history that has accomplished this feat (individual WIAC conference champion). Past Blugold women's champions include Lucy Ramquist in 2015, Chris Goepel in 1985, and Katie Somers in 1984 said Schwamberger.
"This conference performance has the team and I excited to see what's possible at Luther next Friday, and at Regionals the following Saturday," said Schwamberger.
The Blugolds will race again Friday, November 8 at the Luther Saga Cup. The meet, hosted by Luther College, will take place in Decorah, IA.
*All-Conference awards are as follows: 1st team all-conference are finishers 1 – 7, 2nd team all-conference are runners 8 – 14, and all-conference honorable mention are finishers 15 –20.
