Comets, Panthers to host cross country sectionals

The road to the WIAA State Cross Country Championships goes through Waupaca and a local county park.

Waupaca and Stevens Point high schools will host Division 2 and Division 1 sectionals, respectively, Saturday, Oct. 26, and the top teams and individuals will advance to state.

Waupaca will join Amherst, Berlin, Campbellsport, Columbus, Kewaskum, Lake Country Lutheran, Mayville, North Fond du Lac/Oakfield, Ripon, Watertown Luther Prep, Waupun, Wautoma/Wild Rose, the Winneconne and Lourdes Academy girls’ teams and the Pacelli and Xavier boys’ teams.

Stevens Point will head to Standing Rocks County Park near Amherst for a Division 1 sectional that will also include Hortonville, Appleton East, Appleton North, Appleton West, Kimberly, Menasha, Neenah, Oshkosh North, Oshkosh West, Wisconsin Rapids, the Winneconne boys’ team and the Xavier girls’ team.

Clintonville and New London will join Antigo, Lakeland, Medford, Menominee Nation, Merrill, Mosinee, Northland Pines, Oconto Falls, Rhinelander, Seymour, Shawano, Tomahawk and the Colby/Abbotsford boys’ team for a Division 2 sectional Oct. 26 at Colby High School.

The girls’ race will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the girls’ race at 11:30 a.m.
Iola-Scandinavia, Manawa and Weyauwega-Fremont will join Algoma, Brillion, Gibraltar, Green Bay N.E.W. Lutheran, Hilbert, Kewaunee, Manitowoc Lutheran, Mishicot, Omro, Oneida Nation, Providence Academy, Reedsville, Roncalli, St. Mary Catholic, Sevastopol, Shiocton, Southern Door, Valders, Valley Christian, the Lourdes Academy boys’ team and the Rosholt girls’ team at a Division 3 sectional hosted by Manitowoc Lutheran.

The meet will be held at Meadow Links Golf Course, with the girls’ race set for 10:30 a.m. and the boys’ race at 11:30  a.m.

The state meet will be held Saturday, Nov. 2 at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.

The top two teams and the top five individuals not on a qualifying team from each sectional will advance to state. The schedule for this year’s state meet is Division 3 girls, noon; Division 2 girls, 12:40 p.m.; Division 1 girls, 1:20 p.m.; Division 3 boys, 2 p.m.; Division 2 boys, 2:35 p.m.; and Division 1 boys, 3:10 p.m.