Ethan Vargas and Charlie Wendell Win National Titles
The Trinity Academy Warriors boys’ cross country team won the national championship at the National Lutheran Cross Country Championships on Saturday, October 22, 2016, in Mequon, WI. Ethan Vargas won the overall race and became a 3-time consecutive national champion and 1st Team All-American. Ethan also set a new national record and personal best on the two-mile course with a time of 10:35. This win capped off an undefeated season for both Ethan and the team.
Steven Asmus was 7th with a time of 11:24 and earned 1st Team All-American honors. Ben Land was 14th with a time of 11:41, and earned 2nd Team All-American honors. Micah Larsen was 15th with a time of 11:43, and earned 3rd Team All-American honors. Charlie Wendell was 27th with a time of 12:01 and was national champion in the 6th grade and under division, earning 1st Team All-American honors. Braden Meyer was 28th with a time of 12:03 and Maddox Malchow was 104th with a time of 13:28. Other finishers for the Warriors included Elliot Vargas, Brecken Meyer, Sam Wendell, and Peter Verdoorn.
In the team competition, Trinity scored 58 points, followed by St. Mark, Green Bay, WI, with 77 points and Zion, Marengo, IL with 90 points.
“Last year, our team was second, missing the national championship by just one point,” coach Curt Weese said. “We trained our entire season to win this title. I am so proud of our runners for their hard work and heart they have displayed this season.”
Participating in the meet were nearly 400 runners from over 50 schools. In order to participate at nationals, teams must qualify at their respective state meets.
“Five years ago, Coach Weese and I started a cross country program at Trinity Academy. We have been running with our eighth grade boys since they were fourth graders,” said Coach Darcy Vargas. “We never imagined that in five short years we would win the national championship. But the most rewarding part is watching these kids work hard in practice, have fun together as a team, and honor God in all they do.”
Photo 1:
Front Row L to R – Braden Meyer, Peter Verdoorn, Micah Larsen, Charlie Wendell, Maddox Malchow, Brecken Meyer, and Sam Wendell
Back Row L to R – Coach Darcy Vargas, Ben Land, Steven Asmus, Ethan Vargas, Elliot Vargas, and Coach Curt Weese