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With outstanding performances on a hot, dry day at last week’s Section 7AA championships at North Branch, Christian Swanberg and Andy Olness qualified for this week’s state tournament. Swanberg, a junior, qualified in both the 100 and 200 meter runs by finishing second in both events, and Olness, a senior, qualified by finishing second in the triple jump. The Wildcat team finished seventh out of 15 teams at sections, just a half point behind sixth–place St. Francis and one point behind fifth-place North Branch.

“It’s good to get a senior to the state tournament,” said Wildcat head coach Ken Orwoll. “I knew Olness had a shot if he could get a good jump. It’s especially gratifying to see Andy make it considering all the pain he’s been competing with and all the injuries he’s had to work through. And he never complains about it.”

“Christian had a heck of a day,” continued Orwoll. “It was fun to see him walk around with three silver medals around his neck – two for his individual events and one for the four by 200 relay. It should be fun at the state tournament. Christian is right in the mix with several other outstanding runners. And Olness has a shot to do well, too. All it takes is one great jump.”

Other Wildcats who placed at the sections, May 27 and May 31, include junior Chris Golv, who finished fourth in the long jump; Blane Maher, fifth in the 400 meter run; Brian Jennissen, eighth in the 200 meter run; the 4x200 meter relay team of Golv, Jennissen, Kurt Jung and John Lien, second place; and the 4x100 meter relay team of Golv, Jennissen, Maher and Swanberg, fourth place.

“The four by 200 team had their best time of the year, but only the first place team goes to state,” said Orwoll. “They had good handoffs and ran a good race. They knew it was going to be tough. It was nice to see the four by 100 team place, too. And Blane Maher had a very good day. He finished off his senior season with a bang. It was fun to see him up on the podium getting a medal.”

The state tournament takes place Friday and Saturday, June 9 and 10, at Hamline University in St. Paul. The triple jump preliminaries and finals start at 9 a.m. Friday. Preliminaries for the 100 meter dash are at 10:15 a.m. Friday and for the 200 meter dash are at 12:35 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, finals for the 100 meter dash are at 9:55 a.m. and for the 200 meter dash are at 12:10 p.m.

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