Huenink closes stellar running career

Cedar Grove-Belgium High School distance running star Weston Huenink capped his high school career with a near miss at the Division 3 state meet in La Crosse last weekend.

The senior finished seventh in the 1,600-meter run in 4 minutes, 31.11 seconds, just one spot from earning a medal and a spot on the podium.

“The mile was definitely a challenging race. It didn’t go exactly as I planned, but I know it’s part of God’s providential plan for me.”

Coach Jamie Brill said the storm delay that pushed the 3,200 to the next morning would maybe make those who also ran the 1,600 tired and that he could push the pace in the second lap.

“He executed it well during his second lap, but unfortunately he couldn’t maintain it during laps three and four. When all the dust settles, finishing seventh at state is never something to be sad about,” she said.

Huenink also anchored the 3,200 relay. He and Nolan Brill, Noah Hopeman and Jack Krause finished 15th in 8:32.49.

“It was an honor to have my 4x800 team with me there, and at the end of the day we had a great time in La Crosse. I can’t wait to see those guys, as well as my younger brother, run next year,” he said.

Huenink was ninth in the 1,600 at the state meet last season. He was fourth as part of the 1,600 relay and sixth in the 3,200 relay in 2024. He was a key part of the Rockets’ cross country state champion team in 2024, finishing 19th, second fastest on his team to his older brother, Will.

Wes became a top runner despite not starting track until he reached high school.

“It’s meant so much. I did football in middle school. My parents had to convince me to join cross country. They want me to use my gifts, they say,” he said.

“It’s influenced so much of my life. It gave me the people I’m with, my friends. They’re pretty much family to me.”

Huenink plans to study biomedical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Brill said the meet provided valuable experience for the underclassmen in the relay.

“Nolan could not believe how fast the runners were in that first leg. Even though he ran a personal-best time, he said he couldn’t tell because of the mob of boys finishing ahead and around him,” she said.

“Noah thought the whole thing was awesome, and Jack said he couldn’t believe how loud the whole place was. These are great aspects to take into next year while these runners hope to return.”

Schmidt adds second state meet to resume

Sophomore Brynlee Schmidt, who broke the school record in cross country last fall and qualified for the state meet for the second time, made her first appearance in La Crosse in the 3,200. She finished 13th in 11:47.43.

“Brynlee had a game plan to stick within the top six, and she was right there through the first mile, but when the pack made a move she didn’t go with them and unfortunately that left her running in a gap without people to push her,” Brill said.

“She should be very proud of the chance to run at state and the improvement and gains she made over the season.”