Sports

Freshman Finishes Strong at State Cross Country Championship

Megan Paule became the fifth fastest freshman in the field of 190 Saturday.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon at the Ridges golf course in Wisconsin Rapids, freshman Megan Paule finished 65th in a field of 190 in the WIAA State Championship for girls cross country.

Paule finished the race in 15 minutes 41 seconds, and with her time, she became the fifth fastest freshman in the 2 1/2-mile race. Paule's first mile was a fast and relaxed 5:55 and coach Paul Schramka said she looked outstanding.

Paule slowed down in her second mile, and posted a time of 6:45.

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“Watching her come up Victory Hill for her last 800 meters was really inspiring for the coaching staff,” Schramka said. “It doesn't look fast but I think Megan will take a 3:10 any day.”

Schramka said the course included a lot of turns and it was a harder course to run than imagined. 

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Paule qualified for the state tournament after finishing seventh overall and posting a time of 15:20 at sectionals Oct. 22 at Tendick Park in Saukville. She started in the fifth lane Saturday, and her sectionals time was in the top tier amongst the other athletes competing from around the state.

Alexandria Fons, a sophomore from Franklin High School, finished in first place overall with a time of 13:56.

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