OnFocus Season Preview
Coaching staff:
Katherine Olejnichak
Coached Owen-Withee cross country from 2006-2012 and returning to coach 2023
Key returners:
Junior Mason Gay is coming off a state performance from the spring track season and sophomore Colton Paczkowski also did very well with his distance races in track. The two of them will be working together to lead our team in placing at meets. Senior Quinn Hatlestad will be a strong competitor for us this season as well as Ellie Petersen who is returning for the girls team.
Key newcomers:
Connor Hanson and Tegan Hatlestad are both freshmen. Both athletes have experience running cross country in middle school.
Conference outlook:
Conference teams to watch for this season will be Bloomer and McDonnell for the boys as well as Regis and Colby on the girls side.
Keys to your success this season:
We have athletes that are dedicated to the sport. Some athletes have set some pretty high goals for themselves. I know that their dedication to the sport and their willingness to work hard will help them achieve their personal goals this season. My goal for the runners is that they constantly improve with each race. As we do not have a full boys or girls team, I hope that they work hard all season and motivate each other during races so that every athlete continues to improve. Finally, one of the biggest obstacles every athlete faces is staying healthy and avoiding injury. If we can stay healthy, we will see great results from our Owen-Withee runners.
Behind the scenes: Who are some of the people that help your program succeed?
Help with hosting a home meet and contributions from the parents, the OW booster club, and school personnel help our program succeed.
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Know some top athletic performances? Seeing some great teams in action?
We can use your help, and it’s simple. Witness some great performances? Hear about top athletes and top teams in our area?
Athlete of the Week and Team of the Week:
Nominate an athlete or team: HERE
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Pancakes or Waffles! We feature top area athletes with our world-renowned feature. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
College Athlete Roundup! We want to recognize student-athletes from the area who are competing at the college level. Send us information on college athletes from the area with our simple form HERE
Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach or difference maker who we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, adminstration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
