In This Issue
Meet Review
Nationals Preview
Cows' Favorite Running Routes
Running Poems
A Financial Report by Izak Oltman
Cows of the Month
Running Jokes
Meet Review: Pointer Last Chance
For the final meet of the indoor season the Cows headed back to UW Steven’s Point for the Pointer Final Qualifier. The men’s mid distance had a good showing led by Andrew Schilling’s 5th place finish in the 800 meter run with a time of 1:56.86, followed by Evan Routhier in 1:58.87 (12th) and Evan Kohl in 2:00.78 (20th). Rounding off the cows were Nathan Orf, Kevin Boyle, Bryan Jackler, and Edward Larson. In the men’s 1600, Evan Kohl led the cows running a 4:21.41 which was good for 7th place and he was followed by Kevin Boyle and Edward Larson who ran 4:33 and 5:06 respectively.
On the female side, Laura Canapa represented the sprinter cows by running a 8.62 in the 60m dash for 19th place. In the 800m run Madi Pape’s 4th place finish in a speedy time of 2:15.67 led the herd, followed by Hanna Docter in 8th (2:18.33). Rounding off the lady cows were Sara Kaiser (2:29.36) and Zoe Panos (2:36.76). In the mile, Zoe Panos ran a 5:31 for 13th place, followed by Sara Kaiser (5:51).
Cows' Favorite Running Loops
With the return of springtime we also are seeing a return of many of our beloved trials and old running routes that were sadly taken over with snow and ice for the winter. I’m sure like me, many cows have become bored of running the same old routes all winter and are looking forward to some new running scenery. Here are some of your fellow cow’s favorite running routes, so next time you don’t know where to run, give some of these runs a try!
Luke Kubasta: The Arboretum
My favorite trails in Madison are in the southern unit of the Arb, past the Beltline. You enter anywhere in Curtis Prairie (near the visitor center) and make your way towards Leopold Pines, which has several really nice trails through it. To get into the southern unit, you have to go through a pitch-dark tunnel beneath the highway. The Evjue Pines area is beautiful, and it almost feels like you are deep in a forest in the Pacific Northwest instead of in the middle of the city of Madison. My tip is to try to get lost on the trails and not set out a particular route to follow! The first time I 'discovered' this area, I followed some random guy on a whim and found the tunnel, having no idea where it went or how much forest was beyond it, and it was one of my favorite runs ever. It's a great addition to an Arb loop long run or as a standalone trail run (bike to the visitor center and start your run there).
Izak Oltman
The triumvirate: run to Brennan's then to Whole Foods then Trader Joe's, getting free samples at each (9ish miles)
Zoe Panos
The outdoor track!
Evan Routhier
My favorite route is through Shorewood hills after going around University Bay
Stephanie Rink
“The Chief Route” Running down Park street until you hook up with the Wingra Creek path and then take that to Olin park and come back into campus via John Nolan
NIRCA Nationals Preview
Both the men’s distance and mid distance teams have their eyes set on a men’s team victory after just missing out at Club Relays. Coach Matt Kuik said “With last years men's distance crew coming up short on their goals at Nationals, this year's members hope to have a much stronger showing in Bloomington. After the few months of distance training and the indoor season, the men's distance program is ready to stampede around the track and corral some points for the team. After having only a single cow in the 3000 meter steeplechase last year, Kevin Boyle (a.k.a. Josh Heid), this year we will have five water jumpers in the mix; looking to get as many people into the top eight as possible, which is a very obtainable goal. These five are sophomores Ryan Diedrich and Matt Kuik, Freshman Andy Schrom, sophomore transfer Luke Kubasta, and the returning steeple chaser, and junior, Kevin Boyle. There will also be seven cows running 12.5 laps around the track, or the 5000 meter run, also looking for some strong finishes to place in the meet and earn some points for the team. These individuals are juniors Jacob Hrubecky and Brett Jones; sophomores Matt Kuik, Luke Kubasta, Ryan Diedrich, and Nick Feyen; and freshman Lucas Weber. (While it is a lot of laps to watch, getting encouragement from everyone is a huge confidence booster, especially once it hits lap ten, please keep cheering us on throughout the race!) The distance team also has two adventurous souls attempting to break into the scoring column in the 400 meter hurdles, adapting their steeplechase skills to that of a shorter race. These two are Kevin Boyle and Matt Kuik, who will be running it along side the usual hurdlers of Colton Davis and Hunter Cummings. On the half marathon side of NIRCA Spring Nationals, we have two returning members of last years team aiming for top spots in the Hoosier Half Marathon; Tom Enright and Luke Burlingame. With a fifth place finish in last year's half marathon competition with a time of 1:14:33, Tom is a real threat to go for the gold this time around. He's also doubling with the 800 meter run the next day. The other member of the men's half marathon crew looking to break into the top spots is Luke Burlingame, who took 19th last year with a time of 1:17:28. Leaving the comfort of the flat track, these two look to chew up the roads, hills, and competition in Indiana.” Likewise Coach Kevin Boyle added “Our Men's Mid Distance crew had a great showing at Club Relays getting 1st and 3rd in the 4x800m relay and getting first in the mile relay. For the mens side as a whole we are trying to win nationals and the mid distance crew will definetly be pulling their weight. We will be looking at winning the 4x800m at Nationals after coming in 2nd place too many times. Also, look out for Evan Routhier, Evan G Kohl, Nathan Orf, and Andrew Schilling as they all have a great shot at scoring in the 800m and the 1500m. Our goal is to at least have 3 members scoring in the 8 and the 15. “
WTC will be well represented by jumpers at nationals on both the men and women’s side. Coming off a first place finish in both men’s and women’s triple jump relay at Club Relays. There is a lot of depth in all the jumps which should lead to a strong showing for the cows. In the long jump we have Nia Cayenne, Natalie Tufvesson, Estrella Tesch, Kate Abbott, Jordyn Riemer, Tim Mollman, Hunter Cummings, Max Ritzow, Karl Tremmel, Will Jordan, Brandon Clarke, Andrew Hoffmann, Bryan Watson, Colton Davis, Michael Fink, and Peter Van Beek. In the high jump; Sara Kaiser, Karli Fink, Estrella Tesch, Nancy Vo, Hunter Cummings, Will Jordan, Brandon Clarke, Andrew Hoffmann, Colton Davis, and Peter Van Beek. And in the triple jump; Nia Cayenne, Natalie Tufvesson, Kate Abbott, Hunter Cummings, Will Jordan, Bryan Watson, Josh Stephani, and Peter Van Beek.
The female mid distance and distance cows have been working hard all winter preparing for the biggest NIRCA track event of the year. After all this hard work and challenging workouts the lady cows are looking strong going into Nationals, especially after a great indoor season. The 4x800 and 4x400 relays are looking mighty fine after out-running all their competition at Club Relays last month. Individually, the cows have a herd taking on the 800, consisting of Sara Kaiser, Estrella Tesch, Kate Abbott, Zoe Panos, and Madi Pape. Madi is also racing in the 1500. In addition to the track events the distance crew has a great team of half marathon runners ready to tackle the Hooiser Half. This team consisting of Rachel Anderson, Cierra Haupert, Amber Ducheny, and Alyssa MacKinnon. Coach Sandy is excited for nationals as Nationals is all about being there to compete and put it all out on the track, being a part of a TEAM, and most of all "participating to the best of your ability on that day".
On the field event side of the meet the cows are looking fierce with the ever so powerful throwing squad. Although they may be small in numbers, they are looking to make a big impact to help guide the cows to a sweet victory. Coach TJ said “watch for Michael Fink as he is looking to improve on his record-setting performance at Club Relays in the shot put. If he can beat his previous 13.81 meter mark, he could bring home a potential 10 points for the Cows. In the discus, TJ Kleckner is hoping to reach the podium this year after a 5th place finish last year. With some strong throws, we're hoping to bring home 20+ points total in the throwing events, which will hopefully propel the men to victory this year. On the girls side, Stephanie Rink is prepared to show her so-called 'Olympic prowess' and decimate the competition in the women's shot put and discus. Or at least not get hurt trying to do so. One or the other. (Also this is pending whether NIRCA actually lets her compete)”
The sprinters have been practicing hard since fall for this premier NIRCA event. Coach Jordyn Riemer is optimistic and says "there is some fierce competition within the female sprinters competing next weekend. The first event to watch for is the 200 meter dash. Laura Canapa is the one to beat with a seed time of 28 seconds, but all the other runners are close behind with seed times ranging from 29-32 seconds. There will be a 4x100 team running for the ladies also. Despite not having practiced handoffs, the lightning speed of these ladies should set us ahead of the other teams! Laura Canapa also has the top seed in the 100m dash with 13.0, but close behind are Jess Robinson and Jordyn Riemer with seeds of 13.5 and Nia Cayenne with a seed of 14.1."
The male sprinters are also very ready to go for the National meet. From the words of Coach Karl Tremmel, "This year’s male sprinters and throwers represent the largest group to travel to NIRCA Nats in recent years, and they have their eyes set on improving both individual results and the team’s 2nd place finish last year. The team of Will Jordan, Max Ritzow, Brandon Clarke and Peter Van Beek will again represent the WTC in the 4x100. Max and Peter join Tim Mollman and Karl Tremmel in one of the club’s three competitive 4x400s. Al McKenna, Colton Davis and Hunter Cummings are joined by our president Kevin Boyle for this year’s Hurdle squad. With 21 entries in jumping events and 8 in throwing events, the Cows look like strong contenders in every single event for this year’s NIRCA Nationals meet."
Poems
The month of April is poetry month, making it only right to include some wonderful poems in this month's Moosletter. So sit back and relax while reading these beautiful writings courtesy of Mike Rores and Alexi Papas.
Ode to Evan G. Kohl
This is for Evan G Kohl
The man, with mid initial
He runs He's Fast
He's Fun, A Blast
Our hearts we can say he stole
WTC
Wisconsin Track Club
Where the blood makes the grass grow
skill skill skill, go cows
untitled 4
This is for Schilling
he wanted a limmerick
I'm very bad at gifts
neat meet
The runner takes their mark
a swallow down their throat
There's shifting in the legs
Their body begs to go.
The jumper's foot is marked
a shiver down their spine
The stomach starts to move
The field judge walks to line.
The thrower hit their mark
a smile on their face
There's swagger in the stride
A PB and first place.
Begin, middle, and end
muscles get time to mend
Athletes compete, complete the meet
The cows have struck again.
Before
Written by Alexi Pappas
Before,
there is this moment
when no one wants to be alone.
As our fingers,
who have always had the company of one another,
prefer mittens to gloves—
we who about-to-be-by-ourselves
look around,
one final time connect
with somebody or the ant
crawling by our toe
and who unlike
us may not be okay
once it begins.
I am not yet aware what kind of somebody I want,
or for how long.
I do know
before I go,
I need to know somebody knows
I’ve left.
Another Financial Report: By Izak Oltman
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Cows of the Month
Male: Evan G. Kohl
Evan has also been quite active this season participating in 5 races. He also had a great day at the Pointer final qualifier also running the 800 and 1600.
Female: Sara Kaiser
Sara Kaiser has been an active member of WTC having competed in 6 of the 7 races we have had this year so far. She most recently had a great day at the Pointer final qualifier running in the 800 and the 1600.
