Winfield Mile, 1 January 2005

Sticks Sets Record Again at Winfield Sherry Stick won the Winfield Mile for the fifth year in a row, and Ben Duke outlegged Carl Henn as the New Year began in style.

Two years ago there were only 48 runners present, and Liberty Coach and WRRC member Bobby Ward, said "Let there be runners, and let there be someone to pay for their entry fees." The next year twenty-five Liberty runners appeared, along with money from Bob Buerger. This year twenty-one appeared, along with more money from Bob Buerger. The field size increased from 48 to 94 to 104 (or 98, or 106, but more about that later).

The start of the race went smoothly, which means that Dave Herlocker managed to avoid stalling his car in front of the field, and John Hill, our state trooper-in-membership, managed to stop traffic at the intersection of Winfield Road and Old Liberty Road as the mob came charging through.

As the field went roaring down the gentle downhill which comprises the middle of the course, Duke and Henn, last year's winner, who won county runner of the year awards from two newspapers this year and who helped lead Liberty to its second straight state Cross-Country championship, moved ahead of the pack. During the last stretch Duke gained a small lead which he held to the finish. Ward, who finished second in this race two years ago, grabbed third this year, with three Liberty--Bryan Mull, Chris Haines, and Billy Harkins--and two Key--Arthur and Adam Leathers--runners finishing between him and Bob Buerger, who in addition to being very generous, is also very fast, since for the third year in a row, he finished as the first master (40-49) runner.

Other noteable efforts included Peter Blank's 18th place finish as the first veteran (50-59) runner and Roger Kilgore's 36th place finish as the first senior (60-ageless) runner. One reason that three teen age girls and one ten year old boy, Danny Austin, beat Roger may be due to the fact that this race was his third within twenty-four hours.

After dominating last summer's Twilight Series, Sherry Stick had been doing other things, which allowed other runners to win many of the fall races the WRRC had sponsored. This race, however, is Sherry's to win (no one else has won it this century) and lower the race record (this was the third time she has knocked it down). Sherry finished tenth in a time that would have tied for second place overall two years ago.

Following Sherry came a host of Liberty High cross-country runners, who also finished a fine cross-country season at the recent state meet. Led by Lisa Robbins and Caitlin Riebau, who ran well under six minutes, they captured the next nine places.

Debra Leathers finished as the 11th female in capturing the 40-49 age category, Dee Nelson finished 13th in capturing the 60-forever category, and Brenda Baker finished 24th in capturing the 50-59 category.

At the awards ceremony race director Alan Pobletts unloaded the spoils of his trips to whatever stores had Chrismas candy on sale to the top finishers and the young runners in the crowd. Among the young eaters were: six year old Tara Riebau, the youngest finisher, who beat FOURTEEN other runners: eight year old Abby Funk, Zachary Rodriguez, and Evan Stinson; nine year old Ian Baker, Beth Blank, Sarah Rodriguez, Krissy Smith, and Austin Waddell; ten year old Danny Austin and Wesley Stinson; eleven year old Ben Collier, Kerry Smith, and Alex Waddell; and twelve year old Sean Dougherty, Nick Riebau, Mike Sadler, Shannon Smith, and Grant Stinson. Not included in this group were Julia Kohr and Aiden Weisenborn, who were disqualified because someone pushed their strollers.

With 98 names on the entry sheets, 104 cards distributed at the finish line (99 of which were returned), and 106 times entered on the Chronamix, it's not likely that anyone will know for sure how many ran in this race. Alan Pobletts hopes for good weather next year, and Bobby Ward hopes for a large indoor track team next year. For Sherry Stick it doesn't matter, since to her this race is hers to win, no matter what.