Belter takes 93rd in Division 2 girls state cross country meet

• Tia Belter

Somerset's Tia Belter (177) is shown during the WIAA State Cross Country Championships in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday.

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It was not exactly how Somerset junior Tia Belter wanted her experience at the 2010 WIAA State Cross Country Meet to go.

Belter, who placed seventh in the Amery Division 2 sectional meet, struggled at the state meet on Saturday, finishing 93rd in 16 minutes, 44 seconds. Last year Belter placed 64th at state in 16 minutes, 27 seconds.

Somerset coach Diane Belter said she wasn’t sure why her daughter dropped back in the pack during the state race. She said Tia had a solid start to the race, but couldn’t maintain the energy through the rest of the race.

“It wasn’t her race,” Coach Belter said. “She lacked the focus she had for sectionals and conference.”

The main difference in this meet was Belter didn’t have teammate Monica Emerson at her side. In most races this season they have run stride-for-stride for a large majority of the race. Emerson finished six seconds behind Belter at the sectional meet, but that was enough to prevent her from qualifying for the state meet.

“I think her focus would have been better if Monica had run too,” Coach Belter said. “All season long, all winter long, even in track, she’ll have Monica as a running partner.”

Emerson did go to the state meet with Belter and acted as her warmup partner. The rest of the Spartan girls attended the meet in support of their teammate.

The plan now is to have the runners take a few weeks to rest before resuming their running.

Tags: cross country, sports, spartans, prep