Werking sisters: Not two of a kind

The Werking sisters - Rachel and Sarah - continued to strut their stuff for Brookfield East at the Wisconsin Lutheran Cross Country Invitational on Saturday at McCarty Park.

The Vikings won their own invite with 69 points, while the Spartans finished second out of 12 teams scoring 86 points.

Freshman Rachel Werking finished second in 14 minutes, 32 seconds, behind McKaela Christenson of Baraboo (14:08) and twin sister Sarah Werking took sixth (14:53).

"They both came out with huge (personal records)," Spartans coach Kim Leupold said.

"The two of them are completely opposite. Rachel is very competitive, more serious and quiet and calm. Sarah is very outgoing, smiles all the time and relaxed.

But both have the same mindset when it comes to cross country.

"Both are very, very coachable and extremely determined and work hard to keep get better," Leupold said. "They have goals to do well at conference, sectionals and hopefully get to state.

"Both are very humble. I think they are excited to race week after week. Their preparation during the week shows when they go to compete."

The other three East runners finished in the top 30 - Allyx Kvasnicka (24th, 15:54), Natalie Gehred (27th, 15:59) and Shannon Cashin (28th, 15:59).

Lisa Browne (31st, 16:05) and Brianna Mathison (37th, 16:08) weren't far behind.

Kvasnicka, Gehred and Cashin all ran in the 15's and had this season's best performance.

"Today was perfect practice for the much anticipated Greater Metro Conference Meet next Saturday which will also be held at McCarty Park," Leupold said. "The team was so positive all week long with tough training and determination to come out and individually PR.

"The girls know the times and places they need to race in and today I think was a stellar performance. I'm so proud of the team."