SPASH boys cross country wins 32nd consecutive WVC Championship
Portage County Gazette
By John Kemmeter
The top-ranked SPASH boys cross country team won its 32nd Conference Championship in a row at the WVC Meet at Merrill Saturday, Oct. 19.
The Panthers totaled 31 points to win the WVC Title for the 42nd time in 43 years over 15th-ranked Marshfield (64), Wausau West (87), Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln (88) and D.C. Everest (90).
Junior Jake Bourget (15:55.7) placed third to lead SPASH, as he finished behind Ryan Hartman of Wausau West (15:50.2) and Josh McKee of Marshfield (15:53.3).
Senior Jake Lepak placed fifth, senior Christian Manthey took sixth, sophomore James Jacobs was eighth, and junior Josh Bourget finished ninth to give the Panthers five runners in the Top 9.
Sophomore Kyle Franz (15th), senior Tristan Sernau (18th) and senior Ethan Pelot (26th) rounded out the lineup for SPASH, which was without sophomore Zach Scharbarth.
The Panthers will look to advance to the WIAA Division 1 State Meet for the 41st time in the last 43 years, when they compete in the Sectional at Standing Rocks Country Park at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26.