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It’s official. All that stands between Kari Schmidt and her goal of a state title is six throws. Six of her best throws that is.

Schmidt put herself in that position after winning the shot put and discus last week at the section 7AA track meet. The senior makes a return trip in both events, however after finishing second in the shot put at last years state meet, the shot put looks to be her best “shot” at a state title.

“She is an outstanding athlete,” said Beth Carlson, Chisago Lakes girls track head coach. “She was really focused on what she needed to do, and although she didn’t throw the shot as far as she wanted to, she did what was necessary to make the state meet.”

A throw of 42 feet eight inches clinched it for her, three inches better than Danye Guin of St. Francis. Schmidt’s throw was more than two feet better than the state qualifying distance of 40 feet even.

In addition, Schmidt also dominated the discus, leading the pack with throw of 132 feet nine inches, also putting her first. That toss was almost eight feet more than the state qualifying distance.

Schmidt will compete in the discus on Friday at 9:30 am at the National Sports Center in Blaine. On Saturday, the shot put will begin at noon. Schmidt is seeded second in the shot and fifth in the discus.

“Kari is so focused on her goals, that’s all she talks about. Every day we talk about how big this meet is going to be, how she has to bring every ounce of intensity and strength she has to the meet,” remarked Carlson. “The girls at state are fighting for the same prize and everyone is going to be at the top of their game.

“Is Kari ready to win state? Yes, that is all she wants,” continued Carlson. “She wants to win it all and to set a new personal record for herself. Kari is very passionate about throwing and wants to be the best.”

She was the best at sections, unfortunately, as a team, the lady ‘Cats were not. As a matter of fact, the Wildcats finished 10 overall, scoring 23 points. Schmidt accounted for 20 of them. Danielle Voigt was the only other ‘Cat to score points, finishing sixth in the triple jump. The top eight finishers in each event score points, the top six medal.

“I was a little disappointed that we didn’t come home with more medals,” replied Carlson. “I think that some of our relays would have received medals if they would’ve ran their usual times. I know some of the girls were unhappy when they knew what they missed out on.”

Anderson hurdles her way back to state

Last season, Anderson got a taste of what the state experience was all about, missing the finals in the 300 hurdles by three seconds.

This time, Anderson will make a return trip to Blaine after taking second in the 100 hurdles. The finished fifth in qualifying, blazing through the track in just over 16 seconds. Then in the finals, Anderson turned on the jets, finishing second, qualifying for the state meet. Anderson will run at 10:40 a.m. on Friday in the 100 hurdle preliminaries. The top nine advance to the finals on Saturday at 11 a.m.

As for the rest of the Vikings, Anoka was never gave them a chance to get into the meet. The Tornadoes walked away with the section title while North Branch finished seventh with 30.5 points.

The Vikings racked up most of their points with their relays as three of their four relay teams medaled. In addition, Anderson grabbed a medal in the high jump as well, finishing fifth.

Section 7AA Track meet

Girls team results-

1. Anoka 136

2. Elk River 126.5

3. Forest Lake 101

4. Cambridge-Isanti 78

5. Duluth East 50

6. Grand Rapids 47

7. North Branch 30.50

8. St. Francis 30

9. Hibbing 29

10. Chisago Lakes 23

11. Princeton 21

12. Cloquet 19

13. Duluth Denfeld 9

14. Duluth Central 1

Individual Results- Top 10

(CL & NB only):

4 X 800 relay-

9. Chisago Lakes 10:59.88

10. North Branch 11:18.76

100 hurdles-

2. Jenny Anderson (NB) 16.19

4 x 200 relay-

4. North Branch 1:52.17

10. Chisago Lakes 4:31.20

4 x 100 relay-

3. North Branch 52.66

9. Chisago Lakes 55.88

400 meter dash-

7. T. Prouty-Kunshier (NB) 1:04.21

300 hurdles-

6. Jenny Anderson (NB) 51.42

4 x 400 relay-

6. North Branch 4:21.19

Long Jump-

10. Amber Maher (CL) 14’10”

Triple Jump-

6. Danielle Voigt (CL) 32’6.5”

High Jump-

5. Jenny Anderson (NB) 4’10”

Shot Put-

1. Kari Schmidt (CL) 42’8”

9. Kim Johnson (CL) 33’3”

Discus-

1. Kari Schmidt (CL) 132’9”

The top six athletes in each event medal. The top two athletes in each event qualify for state, as does the top relay team in each event.

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