Running down their dreams

The statement was bold, but it was also well thought out. Sauk Prairie cross country coach Andy Sherman was recently asked about his girls team, and the Eagles’ veteran boss didn’t hold back. “I believe that with the returning talent and the addition of our newcomers we have the strongest girls team Sauk Prairie has had in almost 20 years,” Sherman said. There’s no question hopes are high for both Sauk Prairie teams, who begin their seasons Saturday at the Oregon Invite. The optimism on the girls’ side is off the charts, though. The Eagles finished second at the Badger Small Conference meet last season, then placed fourth at sectionals. Sauk Prairie’s top six runners from that team earned all-conference honors and each one returns — meaning hopes are remarkably high for even bigger and better things this fall. “Many of our returning girls did a lot of running this summer,” Sherman said. “They know how close they were to winning the conference a year ago and they are motivated to be there at the top again.” Junior Charlotte Gregg was sixth individually at the conference meet last year, while sophomore Aaliyah Bermudo was seventh overall. Both runners were named first-team all-conference. “Charlotte will be ready to have another great season for us, and with her experience and talent, her goals are even bigger,” Sherman said. “Toward the end we were just starting to see how good (Aaliyah) can be. She has prepared over the summer and will be a factor in all of our races this season.” Sophomores Savannah Liegel and Evelyn Bahe, senior Lainey Dillon and junior Clarissa Bickl all earned second-team all-conference honors last season, as well.  “These four along with junior Kylie Hutchins have run a lot this summer and are ready to help us get to the top,” Sherman said. Senior Katey Ullmann, and sophomores Sophia Hanson and Kenzie Kleis add tremendous depth and give the Eagles a dangerous lineup from top to bottom. “All of these girls and our newcomers can step into any race and help us at any time,” Sherman said. Newcomers such as senior Ziah Been — a transfer student from Missouri — sophomore Lexi Sherman, and freshmen Maya Dischler, Naomi Bermudo, Kjersten Hagen, Gabriela Galvan, Ava Meise and Maggie Sisul are all looking to carve out roles, as well. “All of these girls have been a great addition to our team, which adds more depth to an already really good team,” Sherman said. “They will get the chance to learn from our returnees and compete every day in practice.” On the boys’ side, senior John Fabian — who was the Eagles’ No. 1 runner last year — will lead the way. Fabian helped the Eagles finish in fifth place at conference last season. “John has led our boys this summer in preparing to be ready,” Sherman said. Senior Charlie Endres and juniors Jacob Wiegmann, Hunter Brensike, Austin Smith, Micah Boerger, Austin Pontel, Carson Tucker and Cam Hellenbrand are all back, as well, and hoping for big seasons. “All these boys put a lot of work in this summer running together every morning,” Sherman said.  In addition, sophomores Logan Sorg and Alex Sibila-Ott are back and looking for bigger and better things following successful freshman campaigns. Sophomore newcomers Drake Brensike and Aaron Clement could also factor in.  “Drake had a great track season as a freshman and we are excited to have him,” Sherman said. “Aaron is new to our program, but in our short time getting to know him we have seen that he is a hard worker and he will help us out a ton.” Overall, Sherman is extremely excited about what his boys can do. “Our boys came a long way last season,” Sherman said. “They outperformed what they did at conference the year before. I was very happy with how they progressed and put it together at that right time.  “Many of our boys ran a lot of miles this summer together. They are focused and they understand what it takes to keep climbing the mountain. I look for them to keep moving at that trajectory and they will surprise some people this season. I am really excited to see this group compete since they have come together so well since last season.” Sherman believes Mount Horeb’s girls — the defending conference champs — will be the top challenger for his Eagles.  “We never want to take anything for granted, but we have the pieces to make big moves at the end of the season,” Sherman said. And on the boys’ side, McFarland and Baraboo could be the teams to beat in the league. But Sherman believes his group could be right in the mix. “I am excited to see where boys end up if we can stay healthy,” he said.