The regular season is over, and on Oct. 17 the Mound Westonka cross country team competed in the Conference Championship Meet held at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve in Rockford. The White Hawks headed into the conference meet with spectacular weather and supportive fans by their side. The team found lots of reasons to celebrate, including All-Conference Honors, All-Conference Honorable Mentions, a championship team, many individuals placing in the top 10 and personal records set.

For the varsity girls, ninth grader Sophia Engesser earned All-Conference honors, taking eighth place with a time of 20:35. Earning All-Conference Honorable Mentions were ninth grader Anna Regenold (10th/20:45), junior Audrey Kirscht (15th/21:28), sophomore Emma Andrev (16th/21:38h) and seventh grader Lydia Engesser (18th/21:58). Senior Cassie Nemecek (20th/22:17) and junior Brooke Garlock (23rd/22:30) followed close behind and completed this strong team.

The varsity boys team was up against some tough competition with the Delano team scoring 15 points, which is a perfect score in cross country. However, the White Hawks fought hard with junior Isaac Hays in 10th place (17:50) and senior Charlie Paul in 13th (18:18), both earning All-Conference Honorable Mention. Impressive performances followed, with senior Brandon Knock (20th/18:38), sophomore Luke Sunnarborg (22nd/18:58), junior Andrew Finley (23rd/19:00), ninth grader Owen Trost (19:13) and sophomore Noah Huesmann (19:39).

The junior varsity boys won the race and were named JV Conference Champions! Delano was also tough competition for this team, but the White Hawks edged out the Tigers by just one point by having five runners placing in the top 10. Eighth grader Jacob Chilson placed third (19:24), followed by sophomore Gavin Thelen (6th/19:37), ninth grader Drew Carlson (7th/19:41), ninth grader Brendan Rashleger (9th/19:47) and junior Miles Lund (10th/19:48). Jensen Blackstad, Christian Jordan, August Lang, Henry Ruegemer and Reece Blackstad all ran well and took part of the championship win. The junior varsity girls team ran two runners each with fantastic runs. Junior Claire Rashleger took fourth place (23:47) and senior Sierra Jerome took eleventh place (27:21).

Lots of excitement for the middle school girls as seventh grader Hadley Hoag took first place for a second meet in a row with a time of 12:26, followed by eighth graders Vayla Jerome (4th/13:11) and Elise Hays (7th/13:22). The middle school boys were led by eighth grader Gabriel Lundgren in third place (11:17) followed by Bronx Cupp (7th/11:48) and Bennett Courneya (9th/11:58).

The varsity teams will head to the 6AA Section Meet on Oct. 26 at Collinwood Park. The White Hawks are familiar with the course and plan to have great runs. Good luck to all the varsity runners!