Pirate boys sail to small-school title at home

The Port Washington High School boys’ cross country team won the small division at its home Port Invite at Tendick Park in the Town of Saukville last Thursday.

Beckett Shuster was 21st of 114 runners in a personal-record 17 minutes, 14.6 seconds on the 5,000-meter course that was adjusted due to construction in the park.

“I kinda just wanted to help my teammates and maybe boost us up a few places before sectionals and get a strong lead so we can make it to state,” Shuster said.

Andrew Karrels was 28th in 17:33.1. Connor Zinuticz was 35th in 17:44.3. Dylan Helmeid was 49th in 17:59.3, and Keagan Normile was 58th in 18:23.7.

“Andrew struggled a little and ran his slowest time of the season. He gave the team a great effort despite not feeling his best,” coach Mark Pasten said.

Shuster and Karrels push each other at the top of Port’s pack.

“We build off of each other and help each other to PRs. Honestly, he’s been a blessing because if I didn’t run with him then I wouldn’t have someone to push me everyday,” Shuster said.

Port scored 188 points and finished sixth overall in the 16-team meet. Menomonee Falls won with 47 points. Brookfield East had 85. Slinger had 97, Hartford had 133 and Cedarburg had 184.

Ozaukee finished seventh with 209 points.

Nick Schubert ran a season-best 16:46.4, one second from his personal record, and finished 10th.

“Nick did a great job at getting out and finding competitors to push with,” coach Andrew Pfeuffer said.

Wyatt Borchardt was 29th in 17:33.9. Sterling Schanen was 32nd in 17:39.6.  Hugh Steffen was 63rd in a personal-record 18:28.2. Evan Caswell was 80th in a personal-record 19:08.8.

Cedar Grove-Belgium was 12th with 275 points. Caleb De Troye was 18th in 17:05.6. Nolan Brill was 48th in 17:58.4. Noah Hopeman was 62nd in 18:28.2. Carsten Huenink was 71st in 18:42.3. Grady Ketterhagen was 84th in 19:23.3.

Port girls second among small schools

Port’s girls scored 219 points, finishing in seventh overall and just behind West Bend East’s 214 among small schools.

School record-holder Ellie Knepfel had an off day but still finished 19th in 20:41. Then came Charlotte O’Brien, 47th, 21:36.4; Ashley Mundt, 52nd, 21:50.5; Hannah Dahmen, 54th, 22:10.6; and Jacqueline Poull, 57th, 22:22.1.

“Charlotte ran her all-time best time, and Ashley was right up there,” coach Joe Adamak said. “Hannah and Jacqui did a really nice job.”

Ozaukee was 10th with 254 points. The top four runners ran personal records.

Madison Glaeser was 33rd in 21:12.9. Jillian Knehans was 50th in 21:43.1. Brooklynn Lauters was 51st in 21:43.3. Quinn Zimdars was 63rd in 22:33.6. Ashlyn Schubert was 69th in a season-best 22:57.9.

Eight of the 11 Warriors set personal records or season-best times.

“We challenged our girls to get out a little quicker this meet, and many delivered with strong performances,” Pfeuffer said.

The Rockets scored 303 points and finished 13th.

School record-holder Brynlee Schmidt was ninth in 19:47.9. She said the new route only slightly altered her strategy.

“I thought it was overall a good course, and I always have a good time racing there,” she said.

Lydia Schmidt was 45th in 21:27.1. Hannah Langer was 86th in 24:10.4. Ava Gregory was 88th in 24:32, and Aubrey Nett was 89th in 24:33.8.