Nightfall Classic - 6th place

Aerial view of the Nightfall Classic at Tuscumbia Golf Course

Sometimes the hardest part of a meet is getting to the start line. Between the new meet location, the heat, homecoming festivities, late buses, and backroad road closures...we weren't sure what we would look like when we got to the start line. Fortunately, our spartans once at the line got down to business and put together a great race under the lights on Friday night. Will L-S had a great race up front finishing a solid 3rd place. Berndt just missed a top 15 finish but ran a great time of 17:00 for 16th place. Max and Paul earned top 50 finishes and Anthony closed out our scoring with his time of 18:55. This led to a 6th place finish out of 16 teams on a warm October night run. We saw many of our JV runners embrace the opportunity to run fast with fewer racers on the course and saw multiple PRs on the evening. Asher W ran a season best time while lifetime PRs were achieved by Patrick H, Luke H, Ethan P, Owen G, Noah H, Christian D, and Oliver O. The race(s) of the night came in the middle of our JV pack as multiple Memorial runners worked together to get lifetime PRs and Skylar W and Westley K dropped 1 minute and 46 seconds and 56 seconds respectively off of our their personal records. It is exciting to see our guys chasing fast times and working with their teammates to accomplish difficult things. We look forward to every runner, running hard every run, on every day...big things to come in the closing weeks of the season!

RESULTS
Individual Times
Team Results

NEXT COMPETITION
Friday Oct 10th
Don Loker City Championships @ Lake Farm Park - Madison, WI (Course)
Early Release = 1:15pm
Bus = 1:30pm
3:00pm - Boys Varsity (2024 Results) (box 5 & 6)
4:00pm - Boys JV (2024 Results) (box 5 & 6)
~ 5:45pm - Awards
Please note the earlier time schedule...everything moved earlier by 30 minutes
BUS IS ONE WAY...athletes must ride the bus to the meet but need to secure transportation home after the team cool down.

NEWS AND NOTES
Friday 10/10 -- Team Picture (bring uniforms...even if you aren't racing)
Championship season...JV = City & Conference, Varsity = City, Conference, Sectional, & State
JV athletes will have practice through/including Monday Oct 20th

Midwest Invite - Varsity 26th, JV1 - 29th, JV2 - 34th

Will L-S runs 15:34 for 7th
Fastest time by a Memorial runner since 1991's Phil Downs

Fall has arrived but fall like temperatures did not greet the 54 teams that arrived at Blackhawk GC for the running of the Midwest Invitational. Instead the Spartans battled the heat and tough competition but many athletes were undaunted as they ran season best times. Madison Memorial was led by Will L-S who ran the fastest time since three time state champion Phil Downs ran for the Spartans. Will's time of 15:34 was good enough for 7th place in the varsity race. Anthony L ran a 27 sec PR to step up and be our #5 runner on the day. Bowen D ran under 19 minutes with his PR of 18:49 and Mitchell S used his first varsity race to lower his lifetime PR. Charlie G led our JV1 runners going under 20 minutes for the first time in his young career. Nathan Z, Kaiden S, and Grey H all added lifetime PRs as our group of runners in the JV1 race did a great job running as a group and helping each other to season best times. Jacob S stepped up in the JV2 race with a 1:24 lifetime PR. Luke H lowered his PR as did Skylar W, Owen G, Noah H, Brayden T, and Christian D. Our team competed at a high level and is looking strong at the right time of the season. As we enter the last month of the season it will be important to do the little things right to put a perfect ending on an already great season.

RESULTS
All Results
Varsity Boys
JV1 (Blue) Boys
JV2 (White) Boys

NEXT COMPETITION
Friday October 3rd

Nightfall Classic @ Tuscumbia GC - Green Lake, WI (Course)
Bus - 4:00pm
7:10pm - D1 Boys Race (Varsity & JV) (Box 21&22) (2024 Results)
Awards - top 20 athletes & top 3 teams
Bring $ to stop and eat after the meet
Athletes (& spectators) may want to bring headlamps/lights to help navigate team camp area, walking to & from the meet, areas outside of the lit course
Parking & Shuttle Info - Buy parking ticket

--> They are charging $40+ per vehicle for parking and use of shuttle bus...they recommend carpooling

NEWS & NOTES
City Championships --> they are moving race start times 30minutes earlier...means bus time will be 1:30pm next week...more info to come
Mid-term grades coming out...make sure you have all your assignments turned in
Stay healthy...get good sleep, eat well, hydrate, stretch, ice, sleep

Smiley Invite - Varsity = 6th & JV = 14th

Great day of racing at the Smiley Invite! The team awoke to thunderstorms and uncertainty Saturday morning but they were prepared to bring their best no matter what the course or mother nature had prepared for them. The rain cleared by the time we arrived in Wausau and the jv started the day off for our team. This was the first year racing with all three divisions and our group got out a little slow which left for extra work passing people during the race. Smiley is a tough course to PR on but after running hard in the middle of the race many of our runners came close to their lifetime best with Kaiden S, Owen G, and Noah H all setting new PRs. This group continues to be led by Mitchell who ran a great race for a top 100 finish. Freshman Charlie G continues to move closer to him be supported in the chase to help Mitchell out front by senior Nathan Z. Andy E was a strong #4 jv runner for us and Kaiden S stepped up today to round out our scoring. Our JV kids have been working hard and this middle of the season can be tough...keep grinding, take care of your body, and huge PRs are on the horizon in the final month of the season.

The Spartan varsity runners continue to make leaps and bounds each week and Smiley was no different. New lifetime PRs by Max, Ian, Paul, and Bowen led the way but all seven runners ran great providing the team with a 6th place finish out of 23 teams. Will L-S was solid up-front again helping the team with a low stick and running a great time of 16:06. Berndt had his best race of the season and run well under 17 minutes continue to show his improvement. Max and Ian finished within a second of each other and charged towards the finish line after the big hill sneaking into the top 50 with their lifetime PRs. Paul made another big jump this week closing the gap between our #1 and 5 runners and helping shave an estimated 20 - 30 points off our team score. Anthony had a really impressive showing just off his best from the MG course and earning a top 100 finish. Bowen continues to get better and more experience each week closing in on the 19 minute mark and ready to blow by it any meet now. The team has come along way from our 12th place finish at this meet last season and is primed for big results.

RESULTS
All results
Boys D1 Varsity
Boys D1/D2/D3 JV

NEXT COMPETITION
Saturday September 27th
Midwest Invite @ Blackhawk GC in Janesville, WI (Course)

Bus - 6:45am

9:00am - First Race

9:35am - Blue JV Race (sub 21:30 racers) (2024 Results)

10:45am - Varsity Race (2024 Results)

12:00pm - White JV Race (2024 Results)

Awards - Varsity = top 40 individuals & 3 teams, JV (both Blue & White) - top 30 individuals

*We will stop for food on the way home...bring $ or pack a lunch!*

Approximate return to Memorial is 3:30pm

*** Janesville is charging an entry fee for spectators. Adults = $6 Kids/Senior Citizens = $4 Under 6 years old = free...NO CASH purchase online at https://gofan.co/event/4554583?schoolId=WI19179 or with debit/credit card at the gate

Plan time for parking, walking to course, & paying admission!!

NEWS & NOTES

Clothing order has been handed out....write your name in your new gear!

Team polo option...$25 to senior Will H

Take care of your health...sleep, eat healthy, hydrate, stretch, ice, sleep ;) and wash your hands

Practice on Monday Sept 22...normal time...normal place

Monona Grove Invite - Varsity = 3rd & JV = 5th

 

Berndt & Will LS earn top 15 finishes!

Great day of racing for the Spartans...17 lifetime PRs on the day...after a great week of practice!! The day started with our varsity having their best race of the season. All seven runners ran season best times led by Anthony L making a 30 second improvement. Will L-S ran a great race finishing 2nd in a lifetime PR of 15:55. Berndt earned a top 15 finish with his time of 17:02 for 14th place. Ian and Max both went sub 18 for the first time running 17:52 and 17:53 respectively. Paul K ran a great second loop leading Anthony and Bowen to great times too. Paul ran a 26 second lifetime PR for a 18:33 finish. Anthony followed closely behind for his lifetime PR of 18:37 and Bowen continues to show improvement with a time of 19:14. Together this group finished 3rd out of 17 teams and continues to make great progress toward our season and individual goals. We look forward to big things in the coming months.

Mitchell led our JV squad again with a season best time and continued improvement. He was followed closely by freshman Charlie G who ran a lifetime PR of 20:25 and senior teammate Nathan Z who also ran a lifetime best in 20:28. Another frosh was our #4 runner as Patrick H ran a lifetime PR in 20:53 and Andy E rounded out our scoring five in 21:19. Our JV continues to make leaps and bounds in their training and their racing. Kaiden, Ben L, Elliot D, and Oliver O all ran season best times. While Abhi, Luke, Christian, Ethan, Owen, Noah, Westley, and Skylar improved their lifetime PRs. If this group stays healthy and continues to work hard at practice, the sky's the limit. Together this group is doing difficult things and being rewarded with great times and great experiences.

RESULTS
All results
Boys results

NEXT COMPETITION
Saturday September 20th
Smiley Invite @ Wausau East HS - Wausau, WI (Course)
Bus = 5:45am (bring pillow/blanket for bus ride)
8:30am - First race of day
9:50am - Boys JV (2024 results) (box 14)
11:10am - Boys D1 Varsity (2024 results) (box 14)
12:30pm - Awards - (top 20 individuals & top 2 teams)
**We will stop to eat on the way home...bring $$ or a sack lunch**
Approximate return to school is 4:30pm

--> Please note NEW MEET SCHEDULE for 2025...Boys JV is running at 9:50am...which is requiring us to leave earlier (5:45am)

NEWS & NOTES
After school dinners have begun...athletes can stop in the cafeteria after practice for a free meal (need to get there before 6:15pm)
Chocolate Milk is ongoing...$10 & a cup needed to buy into nightly chocolate milk
Attendance & grade checks ongoing...great start to the quarter. Keep up the hard work in the classroom!
Lots of cold symptoms going around...get sleep, eat & drink well, wash your hands, get more sleep.

Verona Invite - Varsity = 9th, JV = 20th

Will L-S finishes 4th in 16:13

A brisk fall morning greeted the Spartans as they headed to their first official meet of the 2025 season. The Madison Memorial boys joined 34 other teams from around the state of Wisconsin to compete on the Verona cross country course. Our team was looking to continue our improvement from our intrasquad and take a step forward from last season. The varsity race started off the day where our team placed 9th out of 34 teams improving upon our 18th place finish from last year. As for the JV we finished in 20th the same as last year but our times were much improved but shows the room we have for improvement with the depth of our team. As we continue to get experience in races we hope to see our JV runners continue to close the gap on our varsity and show some of our strength in numbers.

The varsity team was led by Will L-S who spent the majority of the race at the front of the pack contending with the leaders throughout. Will ran a great race earning a 4th place finish with his time of 16:13. Berndt R made a hard push through the hordes of runners to finish in 42nd place. Ian G ran a PR to finish as our #3 runner and he was closely followed by Max B who also ran a PR in 18:11. Paul K continues to show steady improvement breaking 19 minutes for the first time. Anthony L had a strong showing as our #6 runner and Bowen not only went under 20 minutes for the first time but crushed it with a time of 19:31. I'm excited to see this group continue to cut down the gaps between runners and showing a good job of finishing races hard. Each week is an improvement and we will return to this course in a month and a half for the Sectional championships.

Mitchell S led our JV squad in a very deep and competitive Verona Invite. Patrick H was our top freshman on the day running a PR of 21:07. Andy E ran a great race improving upon his Intrasquad time. Sophomores Grey H and Isaac A both opened their seasons with sub 23 minute performances, rounding out our scoring JV five. Kaiden S had a nice opener too while Jacob S had an amazing 2 minute lifetime best PR. Other lifetime PRs turned in on the day go to Westley, Ethan P, and Miles D. While Skylar, Brayden, and Christian all set lifetime PRs by finishing their first 5k cross country races as Spartans. Many improvements were made from Elver to Verona and the JV guys are looking forward to getting to a Monona golf course with more rolling hills than steep climbs and opportunities for fast times and new PRs. If this group keeps working hard at practices and challenging themselves in workouts, their will be lots of happy fast races in their future.

RESULTS
All races
Varsity Boys
JV Boys

NEXT COMPETITION
Saturday September 13th
Monona Grove Invitational @ Monona GC (Course)
Bus - 7:00am
8:30am - First Race
9:00am - Boys Varsity (2024 Results) (Lane 15)
10:20am - Boys JV (2024 Results) (Lane 15)
11:40am - Awards - top 2 teams and 15 individuals

**We will NOT stop to eat on the way home...athletes can go out to eat as a team after bus drop off

Approximate return to Madison Memorial will be 12:30pm

We will be using the fieldhouse parking lot for drop off/pick up
SPECTATOR PARKING = easiest parking is at Monona Grove HS which is North of the golf course by about .25 mile....and then walking over to the course...leave yourself time

NEWS & NOTES

- Stay on top of your school work...don't let attendance or grades become an issue...ask coaches/upperclassmen if you need help.

- Memorial After School Dinner Program - begins 9/8 - athletes can stop in the cafeteria after practice and pick up a free school dinner

- Team chocolate milk - $10 (and bring your own cup)
- Clothing order #1 was delivered...make sure to put names into clothing items
- Snap Raise...great job so far!! Those of you working towards prizes...you still have 3 weeks to fundraise
- 9/12 (Fri) - Uniform handout for athletes competing at MG who still need uniform

Warhawks Win Intrasquad! Will L-S sets NEW COURSE RECORD

The rain and fog cleared for a beautiful kickoff to the 2025 cross country season. The course was wet and muddy but that is part of the joy of cross country. Twenty-six competitors toed the line for our first of many 5k races this season. Will L-S ran a great race today setting a new course record with a time of 16:11!!! Berndt had a strong race running about a minute faster than his intrasquad time from last year. Max and Ian worked well together both running great times including a lifetime PR for Ian. In his first cross country race Paul earned a spot on our varsity race as our fifth finisher. Anthony had a great start to the season and the race of the day may have been for the seventh and final varsity spot. Bowen earned his first opportunity to race varsity after a great off-season of training and a lifetime PR on a very difficult Elver course. 

Going into the Verona invite Mitchell will lead a mix of youth and experience of our JV runners who we hope push to make the varsity team. Nathan ran a lifetime PR today and Charlie ended up being our top freshman finisher. We had many first 5ks (also lifetime PRs) run by Patrick, Henry, Westley, Jacob, Owen, Miles, and Ethan. Lots of improvement in the near future for these guys and all their teammates. We look forward to seeing some competition next week at Verona and having more fans out on the course cheering on the runners. We hope these things combined with another week of great training lead to even more personal records (PRs) next week. Taking care of our bodies and avoiding illness & injury will be important. Athletes should work on getting into a good sleep pattern as we prepare to head back to school. SLEEP (8-9 hours nightly) is the #1 thing runners can do to enhance their performance and avoid illness & injury. Additionally, continue to stretch, roll, ice, eat well, & hydrate. Looking forward to big things all season long!

RESULTS

2025 Intrasquad Results

NEXT COMPETITION
Saturday September 6th
Verona Invitational @ Verona HS (Stewart Woods School Forest)
NO BUS - Arrive at 7:15am
8:30am - Boys Varsity (2024 results) (Box 31)
9:40am - Boys JV (2024 results) (Box 31)
11:00am - Middle School Race
11:30am - Awards Ceremony - Varsity = 2 teams & 40 individuals, JV = 20 individuals

** Reminder - NO BUS but ALL athletes should arrive at 7:15am (note new arrival time) AND stay until after the final boys race & team cool down are completed before they may leave (around 10:45am)**

Drop off can occur near the course but parking must take place by the high school (see map)
Give yourself time to walk from the parking lots to the course...parking will take awhile, there are 35 boys & 35 girls teams attending this meet
NO DOGS ALLOWED (this will be the case at most courses we go to this season)

NEWS & NOTES
Athletic Fees ($115 or waiver) - must be paid through Infinite Campus
Snap Raise Fundraiser will kick off this week - PRIZES
Uniform Handout (athlete will be assigned top ($35) & bottom ($35) for the duration of the season and must return assigned items at the completion of the season). Uniforms should be worn only at meets and washed in between uses.
WED - Varsity (jacket ($75) handout too)
THURS - Juniors & Seniors competing at Verona
FRI - Sophomores & Freshman competing at Verona

Please check your e-mail for information about a team potluck to be hosted by the Rothamers (email sent Saturday evening)

LABOR DAY PRACTICE
Runners should run on their own or independently with their teammates (no team practice)
Monday is a long run mileage day and an important day in our training week...after a day of rest on Sunday, try to get out for a long run mileage day on Monday.

Week 2...Things are off and RUNNING!!!

The 2025 boys cross country season is off and running. The guys have been working really hard at practice putting in the miles, learning strength routines, and overall improving as athletes. We look forward to continuing to make progress in week two as we take on workouts and prepare for our first 5k. Each day gives us an opportunity to improve individually and as a team. Take advantage of each opportunity.

Athletes should bring locks and claim a locker in the locker room. They can then store water bottles, snacks for after practice, long sleeve shirts, pants, extra dry socks, etc in the locker room for when needed. This week will be cool in the evenings...some guys might want a long sleeve/sweatshirt for end of practice strength and stretching time. Please make sure your son has a watch to wear at practice and new training shoes...these are essential to getting the most out of their season.

CLOTHING ORDER --> Orders must be completed by Tues 8/26

Items can be purchased for athletes, family members, or other supporters.

ATHLETICS FUNDRAISER (formerly known as Spartan Cards) --> All athletes should sign up on Snap Raise & add 20 e-mail contacts ASAP (check your e-mail for more info)

ATHLETIC FEES--> $115 paid through IC beginning Mon 8/25 (must be paid before competition)
*IF you qualify for a waiver...this must be done through IC also.

Week 2 (8/25 - 8/30) Schedule
Monday - 3:45pm - 6:15pm @ Memorial
Tuesday - 3:45pm - 6:15pm @ Memorial
Wednesday - 3:45pm - 6:15pm @ Memorial
Thursday - 3:45pm - 6:15pm @ Memorial
Friday - 3:45pm - 6:15pm @ Memorial

Saturday - INTRASQUAD - 6:15 - 8:45am @ Elver (meet by main shelter next to splash pad)

** Some athletes will meet for optional runs in the morning T, W, R...more information shared at practice

-- Planning ahead...week 3 practices will be 3:45 - 6:15pm with a meet on Sat (9/6) at Verona HS...Mon 9/1 (Labor Day) will be a run on your own or optional captain led running group

Clothing Order - Ends 8/26

 Clothing Order Website

- Nothing require but nice to have at least one cross country piece of clothing
- Kids will be expected to have long sleeves/jacket and pants to wear as warm ups at meets...these items can help meet that expectation
- Clothes can be ordered for athletes, parents, family members, friends, etc (just know, all items are delivered to athletes at practice)

Giddy Up...It's Cross Country Time! Season begins Aug 18th!!!

WEEK 1 PRACTICE
Monday August 18th - 8:00am - 10:30am - Practice @ Memorial
+ Family/Athlete Meeting via Zoom @ 6:00pm (link will be emailed to contact list on Monday 8/18)
Tuesday August 19th - 8:00am - 10:30am - Practice @ Memorial
Wednesday August 20th - 8:00am - 10:30am - Practice @ Memorial 
Thursday August 21st - 8:00am - 10:15am - Practice @ Memorial
Friday August 22nd - 8:00am - 10:00am - Practice @ Memorial
Saturday August 23rd - 8:00am - 10:00am - Practice @ Elver (meet near Softball Fields)

** Optional afternoon runs for upperclassmen & varsity contenders...more info shared at practice
-- Planning ahead...week 2 Practices will be 3:45pm - 6:15pm Mon - Fri (Sat = Intrasquad)

PAPERWORK NEEDED
1) Fill out the Athlete Questionnaire (provides contact info to coaches)
2) Fill out Online Athletic Forms (Parents AND Athletes BOTH must complete)
3) Turn in Physical Cards --> E-mail to athletics secretary - lksponsel@madison.k12.wi.us
- Questions...email our athletics secretary OR athletic director - ttrichardson@madison.k12.wi.us

FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE
Meet in Lower Team Room (follow signs from FieldHouse Entrance)
Arrive around 7:45am...practice is 8:00am - 10:30am
Must have all your paperwork completed and turned in to participate
We will run for 30+ minutes on 1st day of practice...have your running shoes and watch
REMINDER - Everyone will need a watch this season!!!! Any watch will do coach's recommendation - Timex Ironman or Garmin Forerunner 55
Bring a filled water bottle!
** We will practice everyday regardless of the weather...plan accordingly

2025 Season Begins August 18th

Things to do this summer to prepare for the fall 2025 boys cross country season at Madison Memorial

1) RUN - Get out & run...take a teammate with you
*Summer running group will meet at 8am @ Madison Memorial (Stadium Parking Lot)

2) Fill out the Athlete Questionnaire (provides contact info to coaches)

3) Fill out Online Athletic Forms 
Helpful videos & docs from the athletic department

Parent video  and parent doc

Student video and student doc

4) Turn in Physical Cards 
- Physical card = physical from a doctor after April 1st, 2024
- Questions...email our athletic director's office 

• Athletics Secretary Leigha Sponsel at lksponsel@madison.k12.wi.us
• Athletics Director Tim Richardson at ttrichardson@madison.k12.wi.us

5) Attend Spartan Sports Kickoff @ Memorial July 31st 6 - 8pm

First Day of Practice = August 18th, 2025

8:00am @ Madison Memorial HS

Must have all PAPERWORK completed before practices begin!

We will go for a run on the first day of practice...have your running shoes & watch!

EVERYONE will run 30+ continuous minutes or running the 1st day of practice...make sure you are ready

Summer Running (Some are not)

SUMMER RUNNING --> Lay the foundation NOW for a successful season later

The more you do during the summer the easier it will be to reach your goals during the season.
Consistency and building from week to week are essential to a successful fall.

SUMMER RUNNING (plan)

June 16th - August 15th (M-F) - Summer Running @ Memorial (Stadium Parking Lot) - 8:00am

SUMMER RACING OPTIONS

Wisconsin Track Club Summer Series (local HS tracks)- June 26th July 10th, 17th & 26th

July 13th - MSRC XC 5k Classic (Verona)

July 26th - Waunafest 10 Mile/5k (Waunakee)
August 5th - Full Moon Run 5k (Madison)

August 16th - No Fear All Fun 5k (Madison)

SIGN UP HERE

All 2025-26 Madison Memorial BOYS interested in competing in cross country

in the fall of 2025 should fill out the athlete questionnaire.