Coming Tuesday: More on McKaela Christenson’s run to the WIAA Division 1 state cross country championship.
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WISCONSIN RAPIDS — In pursuit of perfection, McKaela Christenson became a champion on Saturday.
The Baraboo High School senior covered the 4,000-meter course at Ridges Golf Club in 14 minutes 12.65 seconds, capping an unbeaten season with her first individual WIAA Division 1 state championship.
“I feel like the stars just aligned. This is the best I could have ever hoped for,” said Christenson, who celebrated her 18th birthday by running to her 11th victory of the season. “This is so awesome.”
Christenson never trailed in the race and held off Eau Claire Memorial freshman Aubrey Roberts (14:16.24) with an extra push in the final quarter-mile.
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“When I came down the straightaway, I was like, ‘Yes, I can do this.’ I kicked it as hard as I could,” Christenson said.
“This is the best birthday present ever.”
Saturday marked Christenson’s third consecutive trip to the state meet. She finished 10th in 2011 and eighth in 2010.
Her individual title is Baraboo’s first since 1990 graduate Amy Wickus captured back-to-back state titles in 1988 and 1989.
Congratulatory cheers and birthday wishes greeted the Thunderbirds’ state champion as she made her way toward family and friends after the race.
“I couldn’t be more happy,” Christenson said. “It’s been a great senior year.”
CROSS COUNTRY
WIAA STATE MEET
Ridges Golf Club, Wisconsin Rapids
GIRLS (4,000 meters)
DIVISION 1
Team scores
1, Arrowhead 41 points; 2, Neenah 70; 3, Madison West 167; 4, Middleton 173; 5, Eau Claire Memorial 179; 6, Whitefish Bay 204; 7, Muskego 222; 8, Brookfield Central 232; 9, West Bend West 236; 10, Appleton North 266; 11, Hudson 282; 12, Stevens Point 297; 13, Westosha Central 299; 14, Green Bay Preble 354; 15, Franklin 393; 16, Wausau West 410; 17, Oregon 419; 18, Divine Savior Holy Angels 468; 19, Bay Port 471; 20, Janesville Parker 491.
Top five individuals
1, McKaela Christenson, Baraboo, 14 minutes 12.65 seconds; 2, Aubrey Roberts, Eau Claire Memorial 14:16.24; 3, Jackie Dubnicka, Arrowhead, 14:24.05; 4, Jessica Parker, Neenah, 14:26.28; 5, Rachel Werking, Brookfield East, 14:27.64.