MENOMONIE — The Menomonie Mustangs enter the 2025 cross country season with veteran lineups, postseason expectations and a milestone meet to celebrate.

The girls team returns all seven varsity runners from a squad that swept through the 2024 regular season, captured conference and sectional championships, and placed seventh at the WIAA Division 1 state meet.

The boys team brings back five members of its state-qualifying lineup and will rely on its pack running to stay competitive in a deep Big Rivers Conference.

Girls return top seven

Head coach Craig Olson, now in his 28th year with Menomonie and 22nd leading the girls, said this year’s group may be one of the most balanced he has coached.

“This team has experience, talent and leadership,” Olson said. “They’ve had a great offseason and they’re ready to go.”

The Mustangs are led by Lauren McCalla, who finished sixth at the state meet last fall and added runner-up finishes in the 800m and 1600m at the WIAA state track meet. McCalla, the defending conference and sectional champion.

Supporting her is a strong cast. Bree Barfknecht was 23rd at state and earned all-state honorable mention. Bennett Schmitt took sixth in the 3200m at the state track meet after an all-conference cross country season. Bella Drake and Addison Schuler both broke 19:45 for 5k and ran on the Mustangs’ state 4x800m relay. Sara Palmer has shown offseason gains that could push her into the conference’s top 20. Schmitt and Palmer are team captains.

The team also adds Lexi Thalacker, a transfer from Elmwood who swept three Dunn-St. Croix Conference track titles.

Menomonie will be the Big Rivers favorite, although Eau Claire Memorial, Hudson and New Richmond will provide challenges. The sectional meet could be even tougher with Bloomer, the Division 2 state runner-up, joining the field alongside Memorial and Holmen.

At state, Neenah returns as the defending Division 1 champion, but Olson believes his team belongs in the mix with the state’s elite.

“We’re one of those teams that can be in the hunt,” Olson said. “If the girls keep progressing and stay healthy, we can do some special things.”

Olson is assisted by Greg Anderson and Zach Lee.

Boys return five from state

On the boys side, Adam Topper begins his 27th season as head coach with 26 runners on the roster, including five seniors, five juniors, eight sophomores and eight freshmen.

The team will be anchored by five returners from last year’s state squad: Evan Olson, Luke Ray, Logan Topper, Owen Pelzel and Noah Winder.

“They all finished within 60 seconds of each other at state last year, with just a 17-second spread between our top five,” Topper said. “They’ve had a tremendous track season and offseason, and they’re ready to take the next step together.”

Depth will be a key question for the Mustangs, who graduated Peter Cimino (now running at UW-Stout), Ben Bowman, and captains Grant Burns and Caleb Cameron. Burns will compete collegiately at Taylor University once healthy.

“There’s a bit of a drop-off after our front five, and that will be our weakness this fall,” Topper said. “But the next group of eight to 10 boys are a great pack with similar abilities. If they come together and push each other, we could end up with very good depth.”

Assistant coaches Jake Cimino, Tanner Dehnke and Joel Anderson round out the staff.

Relays turn 50

This fall also marks the 50th annual Menomonie Relays, scheduled for Sept. 13. The meet was first organized in 1976 by Ed Roethke, run for years by Bob Peterson, and has been directed by Topper since 2002.

“It’s a unique meet in the area and now enjoys a long history,” Topper said. “It’s pretty special for our program to be hosting the 50th this fall.”

Tradition continues

Between the girls’ recent state appearances and the boys’ steady presence in sectional and state races, Menomonie cross country has built a tradition defined by pack running and consistency.

Menomonie opens the season Saturday, Aug. 30 at the Husky Invitational hosted by Eau Claire North.

With veteran rosters and the strength of tradition, Menomonie enters the 2025 season positioned for another memorable fall.

Chat GPT assisted in the production of this story.