TODD SOMMERFELDT
Coulee Sports Connection
WEST SALEM — They were several minutes of applauding and smiling that Holmen High School cross country coach Steve Mally thoroughly enjoyed.
But that official announcement that his boys were MVC champions sparked the largest grin of the day for two reasons.
First, Holmen’s boys hadn’t won the conference title since 2007. Or a meet this season, so this was all kinds of special.
Second, it gave the Vikings a team sweep of the titles after their girls won with another dominant performance and fourth straight championship.
“We had 12 freshman boys come in this year, and they were motivated all summer long,” Mally said as runners and spectators scattered from their spots behind Maple Grove Venues in West Salem on Thursday. “I knew how talented they were, and we didn’t push them as hard as the juniors and seniors, but they did the mileage and the work and some of them stepped in there today.”
Their success may have pushed the more experienced runners to a new level as
Holmen’s boys used a team score of 42 to hold off second-place Aquinas (56). The Vikings were led by sophomore Matthew Hoff, who placed fourth in 16 minutes, 47.5 seconds.
Junior Josiah Kulmaczewski was seventh (16:58.9), senior Jon Rosenow eighth (17:17.3) and senior Dylan Whiteaker 10th (17:26.2) in a meet won by the fourth time by Onalaska senior and Wisconsin commit Manny Putz (14:56.9).
Putz held off second-place Declan Gregg of Aquinas (15:44.1) and third-place Arlo White of Onalaska (16:27.3).
“I stress to everyone that they are only part of the bigger picture,” Mally said. “If they are uncomfortable, they have to decide that what we’re doing is for the greater good. The sacrifice is putting yourself out there for other people.
With three of the top eight and four of the top 10, the Vikings were champions for the first time in 17 years and teamed up with the girls to complete the program’s first sweep of the titles.
Junior Sabrina Lechnir positioned herself to match Putz’s four individual championships next year by winning the girls race for the third time.
Lechnir crossed the finish line in 19:23.7 and held a lead over the Aquinas duo of Emily Bagniefski and Sanjana Musafir throughout the race. Bagniefski, a sophomore, placed second (19:33.1). Musafir, a freshman, was third (19:34).
Holmen’s girls powered to another title with the help of successful pack running. The next four finishers after Musafir were Vikings.
“The environment that they are in is very special,” Mally said of the girls team, which won its first MVC championship in 2021 and hasn’t lost since. “They are a tight group and do things like have a bonfire after a morning practice. I know because it was at my house, and we had bagels
“I don’t know if they are aware (of the streak) in the backs of their heads, but they don’t want to be the team that doesn’t win the conference.”
Freshman Jolee Valiska was fourth (19:43.1), junior Naomi Wedan fifth (19:45.4), senior Bailey Sommerville sixth (20:45.7) and sophomore Delilah Heacox seventh (20:47.7).
Lechnir led from start to finish and said the meet brings with an equal amount of excitement and pressure.
It’s hard because you keep putting pressure on yourself to keep doing better and keep coming out on top,” Lechnir said. “I felt pretty relaxed when I went out to run today, though.”
Lechnir has plenty of experience in big races, though. In addition to her three individual MVC championships, Lechnir has competed in two WIAA state meets already.
“She always asks us, ‘How should I run this race?’ Mally said. ” We talk strategy, like who she should run with and when she should take off.
“We tell her to stay relaxed and patient and go when she feels best. That’s what she did today.”
