Wisconsin Heights runners are holding their own

They are small in numbers. But they’re trying to do big things this spring. Wisconsin Heights’ track and field teams competed in a pair of meets last week. And even though the Vanguards don’t have the necessary five runners to qualify in the team standings, they’re performing quite well as individuals. At the Brodhead Invitational on April 6, Heights’ Samantha Herrling finished second overall, completing the 5,000-meter race in 21 minutes, 50 seconds. On the boys’ side, Weston Parman was 11th, completing his race in 19 minutes, 28 seconds. Andrew Pietrzykowski was 27th (21:38), Trevor Baryenbruch was 39th (23:33) and Jacob Swanson-Carter was 47th (25:21). At the Middleton Invite on April 7, Herrling was fourth overall in 20:51.0. Heights’ Greine Simmert was also 30th (26:25.8). On the boys’ side, Parman was 10th (18:54.7) and Pietrzykowski was 36th (21:39.2). Baryenbruch was 49th (23:13.1) and Swanson-Carter was 65th (25:37.7). “I’m impressed with how our season is going this year,” Heights coach Ivy Hasheider said. “Our team comes to practice each day ready to attack the workouts despite the fact we’ve had more rain and colder weather than I anticipated.   “Our newcomers have done a great job of learning how to race and their confidence has grown tremendously since their first meet. The team, especially our veterans, have stepped up to the challenge of navigating an unusual season and I love seeing their positivity.”      BOYS CROSS COUNTRY BRODHEAD QUAD April 6 Team scores: New Glarus/Monticello 18, Jefferson 58, Brodhead/Juda 80, Wisconsin Heights inc. Top five individuals: 1, Guenther, NG, 17:38; 2, Nelson, NG, 17:47; 3, Marin, JF, 17:55; 4, Ryan, NG, 18:04; 5, Hoesly, NG, 18:11. New Glarus/Monticello: Guenther, 17:38; Nelson, 17:47; Ryan, 18:04; Hoesly, 18:11; Ready, 18:58. Wisconsin Heights: Parman, 19:28; Pietrzykowski, 21:38; Baryenbruch, 23:33; Swanson-Carter, 25:21.  At Brodhead HS, 5,000 meters.   GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY BRODHEAD QUAD April 6 Team scores: New Glarus/Monticello 23, Jefferson 50, Brodhead/Juda 76, Wisconsin Heights inc. Top five individuals: 1, McIntyre, Br, 19:22; 2, Herrling, WH, 21:50; 3, Maynard, NG, 22:15; 4, Karls, NG, 22:34; 5, Hottinger, JF, 22:42. New Glarus/Monticello: Maynard, 22:15; Karls, 22:34; Fink, 22:52; Faber, 23:37; Ziperski, 23:39. Wisconsin Heights: Herrling, 21:50. At Brodhead HS, 5,000 meters.