Tomah took a step toward becoming a more competitive boys cross country team by finishing ninth out of 11 squads at the 22nd annual Norksi Classic Thursday at DeForest High School.

The Timberwolves were 9th out of 10 teams at last year’s meet.

As usual, Derek Storkel gave Tomah a big head start out of last place by winning the race by an enormous margin. His time of 16 minutes, 26 seconds was 58 seconds better than runnerup Mikey Turner of Reedsburg. Josh Knuteson of DeForest was third in 17:39.

Storkel averaged mile times of 5:18 on the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) course and came within 10 seconds of setting a new course record. He might have set the record has the course not been altered from last year.

“Derek wasn’t challenged,” Tomah coach Bruce Luebke said. “There wasn’t even anyone with him at the first mile.”

Next for Tomah was junior Jesse Parker, who was 49th out of 155 varsity and junior varsity runners. His time was 20:01, and Luebke likes the progress his first-year runner is making.

“Jesse is coming along pretty good,” Luebke said. “We like where he is and where he’s going. He’s already getting a good feel for what happens at meets.”

Rounding out the Tomah varsity were: Jacob Waddell (21:21), Kyle Laylan (21:49), Christopher Laylan (21:49), Mitchell Rezin (22:13) and Michael Wilde (22:14).

“They’re moving up,” Luebke said. “We thought we would be better at two through seven, and we see that happening.”

Running as jayvees were: Zachary Humpal (22:48), Skylar McCarthy (23:15), John Lanska (23:34), Kevin Krisch (24:12), Daniel White (24:13) and Jacob Rezin (24:14).

Team scores: DeForest 75, Waunakee 81, Portage 100, McFarland 104, Lake Mills 124, Baraboo 139, Reedsburg 166, Berlin 201, Tomah 236, Monona Grove 257, River Valley 308.

In the girls race, Tara Lamb was Tomah’s top runner. She ran the 4,000-kilometer (2.5-mile) course in 19:40 and was 59th out of 148 varsity and junior varsity runners.

Tomah’s other varsity runners were: Allison Coffey (20:47), Amber Ingwell (20:48), Gabriella Mubarak (20:51), Katie Jensen (21:47), Chloe Shmays (21:49) and Ariel Scott (21:50).

The Timberwolves junior varsity runners were Kelsey Rose (23:59) and Cassandra Bogle (25:45).

Tomah was without its number-one runner Haleigh Flottmeyer, who is dealing with an injury that first flared up last spring. Luebke said he may pick and choose the meets Flottmeyer will run to keep her healthy.

Team scores: Reedsburg 35, DeForest 80, McFarland 88, Waunakee 102, Lake Mills 112, River Valley 149, Berlin 183, Monona Grove 195, Portage 224, Tomah 299.

The Timberwolves begin a busy stretch of competition Tuesday with a trip to the Marshfield Invitational. The Timberwolves will run five meets in 18 days.