Baraboo Thunderbirds Show Tenacity in Cross Country Meet at Home

The Baraboo Thunderbirds hosted a robust lineup of teams during the Conference Championship Meet at Baraboo High School. Competing against the Badger Large Schools of DeForest, Watertown, Oregon, Milton, Monona Grove, Waunakee, and Beaver Dam, the event highlighted the skills and endurance of both the men's and women's varsity teams. In a field brimming with talent, the Baraboo boys varsity team excelled, securing a 2nd place finish with an impressive score of 77. Will Boettcher was a standout performer, finishing 4th in the men's 5,000 meters with a time of 16:55, a result that earned him 1st Team All Conference honors due to his formidable performance in the last mile. Alongside him, freshman Oskar LaFave clinched 2nd team all conference honors, and a strong group of Dylan Davies, Jack Brinker, and Jimmy Martinez were not far behind, further showcasing the depth of Baraboo's talent. The girls team also faced tough competition, placing fifth with a score of 130. Madi Gilbert was a key contributor, achieving 5th place in her event with a time of 20:39. Gilbert's performance in the second half of her race secured her a 1st team all conference spot, indicative of her strong competitive spirit. And junior Taylor Sperl earned 2nd team all conference honors. Coaches Boll and Faylona expressed immense pride in the team's performance, stating, 'We are proud of the team's effort; they pushed through and showed great tenacity against tough competition.' Looking forward, the Thunderbirds are gearing up for their next challenge at the Sectional Championship, which will be held at Verona High School on October 25, 2025.