After last year's WIAA State Cross Country Championships, Waterford High School coach Nate Schreiber had what he called an "eerie feeling" about his boys team.

That feeling is long gone.

After losing four runners to graduation, the Wolverines seemed to be in no position to even think about a return trip. Yet here they are, not only returning to state, but doing so as the Division 1 Horlick Sectional champions.

Waterford is joined by individual boys qualifiers Johnny Binzak of Horlick and Kevin Fallon of Burlington in the Division 1 race. Also qualifying for state were Emily McClelland of Union Grove in Division 2 and The Prairie School boys and girls teams and two Shoreland Lutheran runners in Division 3.

The state meet is Saturday at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids, beginning at 11 a.m. The schedule of events is listed in the accompanying information box.

Schreiber credits the rapid development of senior David Bloxham and junior D.J. Hendrickson, his No. 2 and 3 runners. Along with junior No. 1 runner Aaron Derner, a candidate for a medal (top six runners earn medals), the Wolverines have a triple threat at the top of the lineup.

"A lot of people thought we would be depleted for the next couple of years," Schreiber said. "This is one of our greatest triumphs, to bounce back from graduation and win the sectional."

Hendrickson, a first-year runner, has been exceptional, Schreiber said. So has sophomore Kody Brand, who dropped nearly a minute and a half from his best time last year.

Derner, though, is the real deal. He finished 32nd overall last year as a sophomore and holds the school record of 16:02 for 5,000 meters. That would place him ninth at state based on last year's times.

"I expect him to be a top-10 runner," Schreiber said. "He's physically and mentally prepared and he's a competitor."

Binzak, a senior, also figures to move up after finishing 97th last year. He ran 16:45 at the sectional at UW-Parkside.

"He's got a lot in the tank and he's in good shape," Horlick coach Josh Slamka of Binzak. "This is his last high school race and he's ready to go for it. He's focused and he's put in an incredible amount of work this season. I think he's ready for all the payoffs."

Fallon, a first-time qualifier, is the first Burlington boys qualifier since Ryan Birkholz, who finished seventh in 2004. His qualifying for state is a testament to the power of quick healing. Fallon had an appendectomy two weeks before the season began, Demons coach Rick Koceja said, and worked hard all season to get back in shape.

"Training has been a slow process, but he's been racing well in his last three or four races," Koceja said.

McClelland returns to state after finishing 31st last year as a sophomore in what was a career-best time of 15:47.9. Union Grove coach Sara Shefchik believes McClelland can drop even more time this year.

"We're hoping for the top 25," Shefchik said. "She'll need to run around 15:35 and the goal for her is to have her go out hard. It will be more uncomfortable than normal, but she performs best when she's under pressure."

Like Waterford, the Prairie boys have benefitted from the quick rise of a first-year runner. Sophomore Andres Tineo Paz has moved into the No. 2 spot behind senior leader Carl Holborn and along with senior Tim Pastika and junior Nicky Mikaelian, they form one of the strongest top fours in Division 3. They ran within 28 seconds of each other at Saturday's Division 3 Prairie Sectional.

"We've been ranked fourth or fifth (in the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association state poll) all season, but I think I feel insulted when looking at times of teams ranked ahead of us," Hawks coach Jim Larsen said. "I told the guys don't worry - Webster was ranked eighth last year and won it."

Holborn has a legitimate shot at a medal, Larsen said, as does Tineo Paz. But the team still has to stick with what got it there.

"My guys are good at running their race and sticking to the game plan without getting sucked in," Larsen said. "If we run well, we could win it."

The Prairie girls are in a good position as well. The Hawks were unranked all season, but came through at the sectional. The top five runners - freshman Meghan Mullane, junior Hailey Appenzeller, senior Emily Lafond, sophomore Victoria Barry and junior Jessica Walley - ran within 35 seconds of each other.

Mullane has become a leader as a freshman and has the right stuff to handle the hills on The Ridges course.

"She runs up hills and runs through hills," Larsen said. "Other girls are not as strong and I think she can hang (with the leaders)."

Larsen thinks the girls can attain a very high finish.

"I think the girls, in the last two weeks, have developed some confidence in themselves. If I get them to believe in themselves, they can do anything," he said.

The qualifiers for Shoreland Lutheran are senior Isaac Hill and junior Katie Dubiak.

Angels ready for challenge

With what the St. Catherine's boys soccer team has been through this season, it is ready for any challenge.

The Angels will certainly get one at noon Friday, when they play Winnebago Lutheran Academy of Fond du Lac in the Division 3 semifinals of the WIAA State Tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.

If St. Catherine's (18-5) wins, it will play McDonell/Regis (16-6-2) or Kohler (22-4-2) in the Division 3 title game at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Winnebago Lutheran (23-1) lost only to Kettle Moraine Lutheran this season and finished the regular season ranked No. 1 by the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association.

But the Angels are used to challenges, since they have played the entire season without three starters. Senior forward Marc Glidden broke his leg before the season, junior defender Zach Haman broke his foot and sophomore midfielder Alex Pier also was hurt. In addition, six players missed playing time with concussions and senior Cam Casper is healthy after early back problems.

"We did not have one game where we had a complete lineup," St. Catherine's coach Ben Lake said. "We've been trying to see what works and what doesn't. It's been very challenging."

Still, the Angels are making their first state appearance since back-to-back trips in 2001 and 2002. They've done it by working as a unit and playing with a purpose. St. Catherine's will need that against the Vikings.

"They are a very aggressive team," Lake said. "Getting to the ball is very key for them. That's what we have to be aware of."

Lake said the Angels just have to do what got them there.

"Getting to the ball and connecting and moving off the ball will be huge," Lake said. "So will defensive and offensive transitioning. We have to utilize the width of the field and attack the flanks. We have to keep our defensive posture and maintain our offensive shape.

"The main thing I've been addressing is playing for each other and playing with the same intensity we had against University School (a 2-1 overtime victory in the sectional final), which will not be a problem. We have to make sure we play to our style and not into the emotion of the game."