Wisconsin state cross country 2025: Results and highlights

Photo via WIAA

Stevens Point's boys captured a historic fourth consecutive Division 1 title, while Neenah's girls defended their crown and Shorewood dominated Division 2 boys in a North Shore triumph. The WIAA State Cross Country Championships at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids delivered dramatic finishes, record-breaking performances, and standout achievements from North Shore athletes across all divisions on November 1, 2025.

Lauren McCalla of Menomonie shattered the Division 1 girls record with a stunning 17:26.4, while North Shore schools claimed a state championship (Shorewood boys D2) and multiple podium finishes, with Whitefish Bay freshman Karstin McCabe announcing her arrival with a third-place finish in Division 1.

North Shore schools claim top finishes

North Shore area schools delivered exceptional performances across multiple divisions, highlighted by Shorewood's boys capturing the Division 2 state championship with 66 points, defeating defending champion Kohler (72 points). This marked the program's 10th state title, ranking third-most among all WIAA member schools. The Greyhounds returned to Division 2 after competing in D1 in 2024, bringing back six experienced runners who dominated the field. Senior Ryan Lien and junior Nolan Johnson led the charge after winning and placing second at their sectional meet.

Homestead's boys finished runner-up in Division 1 with 113 points, trailing only Stevens Point's historic four-peat squad. Senior Jay Tally paced the team with a seventh-place finish in 15:52.4, while the Highlanders packed four runners between 21st and 26th place. Junior Ethan Mattek of Wauwatosa East cracked the Division 1 boys top five with a 15:36.5 performance.

On the girls side, Whitefish Bay placed fifth in Division 1 (212 points) behind the breakout performance of freshman Karstin McCabe, who finished third overall in 17:43.2 in her state debut. McCabe's podium finish was the highest individual placement by a North Shore athlete, trailing only record-setter Lauren McCalla and two-time defending champion Ella Anschutz. Wauwatosa East finished one point behind Whitefish Bay in sixth place (213 points), led by senior Fallyn Moye's 15th-place finish.

In Division 2 girls, Shorewood's Maya Lynn Sankpal-Tatera qualified individually and placed 21st in 19:43.1, while Brookfield Academy's Rose Erlinder earned 10th place in Division 3 girls with a time of 19:26.0, securing All-State honors.

Stevens Point makes Wisconsin history

The Stevens Point boys accomplished what no Division 1 boys team had achieved since 1945: four consecutive state championships. The Panthers dominated with 69 points behind a balanced attack that placed five runners in the top 28. Senior Cooper Erickson led SPASH with a sixth-place finish (15:50.2), while sophomore Garrett Strong (ninth, 15:59.9) and freshman Fisher Carroll (10th, 16:03.1) demonstrated the program's depth. Junior John Jazdzewski overcame a broken foot at the season's start to place 16th.

This victory marked Stevens Point's 15th state title overall, the second-most in state history. Head coach Tom Fischer's dynasty has transformed the program into Wisconsin's premier distance running powerhouse, with their team average of 16:09.3 showcasing their collective strength.

Record-breaking performances define Division 1 girls

Lauren McCalla of Menomonie obliterated the Division 1 state meet record with a time of 17:26.4, improving from sixth place in 2024 and 10th in 2023 to claim her first individual title. The senior's performance ended the championship reign of Muskego's Ella Anschutz, who had won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024 but settled for runner-up in 17:41.4.

Neenah successfully defended their team championship with 71 points, edging Slinger (84 points) to capture their second consecutive title and fifth overall. The Rockets deployed exceptional team balance with freshman Sam Zilm (fourth, 18:08.9), senior Elsa Gruber (11th, 18:34.8), and sophomore Elsa Weiland (16th, 18:52.6) leading their pack. Their team average of 18:43.9 and tight spread demonstrated championship-caliber depth.

Historic speed highlights Division 1 boys individual race

De Pere senior Grady Lenn dominated the Division 1 boys race with a blistering 15:03.2, the third-fastest time in Division 1 history. Only Chris Solinsky (14:54 in 2002) and Olin Hacker (14:59.10 in 2014) have run faster at the state meet. The UW-Madison commit finally claimed his first state cross country title after placing seventh as a freshman, third as a sophomore, and second as a junior. Lucas Tanner of DeForest took second in 15:24.2, improving from seventh in 2024, while Hudson junior Ryan Keller rounded out the podium in 15:33.6.

The race showcased extraordinary depth with 15 runners breaking 16 minutes, including Marquette University High School's Brendan Reardon (fourth, 15:36.0) and Wauwatosa East's Ethan Mattek (fifth, 15:36.5).

Dramatic four-point margin decides Division 3 girls

Darlington captured their second state championship in program history with a heart-stopping 92-96 victory over Kohler in the Division 3 girls race. The Redbirds surged in the final mile as three runners passed a combined 33 competitors to overcome a significant deficit. Junior Adalee Berget passed 10 runners in the final stretch, while freshman Alaina McGowan moved up 13 positions. The decisive moment came when junior Clara Solverson, Darlington's fifth scorer, finished eight places ahead of Kohler's fifth runner to secure the narrow victory.

Kohler sophomore Maggie Behler finally claimed her individual title with a time of 18:22.5, the fourth-fastest Division 3 performance in history. After finishing runner-up in both 2023 and 2024, Behler dominated the race, finishing 14 seconds ahead of Cochrane-Fountain City's Addy Duellman (18:36.3). Her victory provided consolation for Kohler's heartbreaking team defeat.

Division 2 champions emerge in competitive fields

Rice Lake senior Carter Kucko claimed the Division 2 boys individual title with 15:45.6, the seventh-fastest time in division history, improving from his fourth-place finish in 2024. Berlin's Thomas McCarthy took second (15:53.2), while Stoughton's Elijah Judd placed third (15:57.9) in a competitive race that saw six runners break 16:05.

Mount Horeb's girls captured their fourth state championship with 90 points, using exceptional team balance to defeat McFarland (112 points) and Monroe (128 points). Junior Willa Vigliotta led the Vikings with a fourth-place finish (18:30.9), while sophomore Mia Caygill added a ninth-place performance (18:59.2). Their team average of 19:46.7 and spread of just 2:29.2 between their top and fifth runners demonstrated their championship mettle.

Defending champion Emmerson Drobac of Deerfield/Cambridge successfully defended her Division 2 girls title with 18:01.4, though slower than her 2024 record-setting performance of 17:38.9. The senior's time still ranked as the sixth-fastest in division history.

St. Ambrose boys claim first-ever championship

St. Ambrose Academy/Abundant Life Christian captured their first state cross country championship in Division 3 boys with 113 points, edging Prentice/Rib Lake (137 points) and Phillips (138 points). Sophomore Jonathan Simon dominated the individual race with 16:06.9, an outstanding improvement from his 15th-place finish in 2024. His brother David Simon, a junior, placed 12th in 16:49.4, giving the team two top-15 finishers.

Three Lakes-Phelps junior Nolan Waltz took second in 16:11.2, improving dramatically from eighth place in 2024, while Phillips senior Gavin Esterholm rounded out the podium in 16:23.0.

Division 1 results

Division 1 Boys Team Standings:

1. Stevens Point - 69 points

2. Homestead - 113 points

3. Marquette University - 115 points

4. Oconomowoc

5. Wisconsin Lutheran

6. Hartford Union

7. DeForest

8. Madison La Follette

9. De Pere

10. Hudson

Division 1 Girls Team Standings:

1. Neenah - 71 points

2. Slinger - 84 points

3. Bloomer - 179 points

4. Menomonie - 197 points

5. Whitefish Bay - 212 points

6. Wauwatosa East - 213 points

7. Appleton North - 220 points

8. Hortonville - 232 points

9. Muskego - 240 points

10. University School of Milwaukee - 283 points

Outstanding individual North Shore performances

Beyond team achievements, numerous North Shore athletes delivered exceptional individual performances. In Division 1 girls, Whitefish Bay placed seven runners, led by McCabe's podium finish, with junior Ella Kukuk (35th, 19:28.2) and senior Selin Gurses (37th, 19:30.6) contributing to the team's fifth-place finish.

Homestead sophomore Mara Gaskin placed 24th in Division 1 girls (19:00.1), while teammate Sivan Wallace finished 45th (19:18.4). In Division 2 boys, Port Washington senior Jameson Koebel earned All-State honors with a fifth-place finish in 16:02.6.

The 2025 WIAA State Cross Country Championships showcased the exceptional depth of Wisconsin distance running, with North Shore schools claiming a state championship and multiple top-five team finishes. Record-breaking performances from Lauren McCalla and historic achievements by Stevens Point's boys underscored the elite level of competition statewide, while dramatic finishes in Division 3 girls provided unforgettable moments. The emergence of young talent, including multiple freshman podium finishers, signals sustained excellence for Wisconsin cross country in years to come.