Montezuma Bravettes Cross Country captures back-to-back SICL Conference title

Members of the Montezuma Bravettes Cross Country team captured the SICL title for a second year in a row, a first in school history. Pictured are, front row, from left: Alivia Cline, Madison Johannes, Mia Boulton, Elise Boulton, Makenna Johannes, Lydia Singleton. Back row: Camryn Brennan, Alyssa Cline, holding cut out of Carmen Klos; Beka Teumer, Katie Probasco and Ashlee Eilander, holding cut out of Haley Van Der Hart. Klos and Van Der Hart could not be present. Submitted photo.

By Kevin Gartman
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   Capturing back-to-back conference titles for the first time in school history, the Montezuma Bravettes came away victorious as team champions at the 2020 SICL Conference Cross Country Meet.
   Hosted by Lynnville-Sully, the race was held on a beautiful Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Diamond Trail Golf Club.
  Led by senior Elise Boulton, who finished as runner-up, her strongest performance of the season, the Bravettes were also steadied by sophomore Mia Boulton in 5th, sophomore Madison Johannes in 6th, junior Beka Teumer in 8th, and freshmen Makenna Johannes (new career best time), Lydia Singleton, and Ashlee Eilander rounded out the top seven for the Bravettes. Earning 1st-Team All-Conference honors were Elise Boulton and Mia Boulton, with Second-Team All-Conference honors going to Madison Johannes and Beka Teumer. Makenna Johannes is named an All-Conference Honorable Mention. Running without two typical varsity scoring runners, the Bravettes depth was key with a wonderful showing by all.
Varsity Boys
   The varsity boys made some historical noise as well, finishing in second place as a team behind conference rival North Mahaska. The runner-up team finish marks the strongest team performance in the 2000s. Senior Brydon Henning ended his conference racing career with his strongest performance, placing third overall, just one second off of a second-place result. Running second for the Braves, in a new best time for his career, was sophomore Gavin Strong. Right behind Strong, nearly matching his career-best was freshman Carter McKee. Rounding out varsity scoring was senior Cam Johnson and freshman Jack Erselius. Freshman Jayden Ross finished as the sixth runner for the Braves, picking up a new best time by a minute and 24 seconds. Sophomore Colton Benson rounded out the strong team performance for the Braves.
Junior High Runners
   At the junior high level, Ellen Cook came away with an individual SICL title in the girls race, running nearly a minute faster than her previous best time on the course. Also setting a strong pace was seventh grader Claire Erselius, finishing 6th overall. Joining the two medalists in competition were Catelynn Coffin, Amy Longfellow, Lily Ferry, and Hayley Burnett. The girls finished a strong second place as a team.
   Seventh grade runner Luke Erselius led the junior high Braves with a 7th place finish, followed closely by Broox Stockman, who medaled 10th while also scoring a touchdown in the football game, also going on during the same timeframe. Jusiah Wetering finished one spot back in 11th, and teammates Kohen Holland and Carson Van Der Hart crushed their previous best times on the course. The boys team finished third in the conference.