June 4, 2009 at 10:06 a.m.
'Cats fail to qualify any for state meet
'Cats fail to qualify any for state meet
GIRLS
Normally, the first two finishers in any event qualify for the state tournament. Any other finisher that beats a set standard also qualifies, unless their time, height or distance is considered wind-aided.
Senior Lindsey Fowler Wacholz came achingly close to qualifying for the state tournament in the triple jump. Her jump in the preliminaries was over 36'2" feet, beating by three inches the qualifying standard of 35'11". But the tailwind during Fowler-Wacholz's jump was measured at 4.4 miles per hour, which was 0.4 miles per hour over the allowed tailwind. Her jump, thus, did not qualify her for the state tournament. Fowler-Wacholz finished third in the finals of the triple jump competition. Her jump of 35'10.5" in the finals was just one-half inch short of qualifying for state. "That's pretty tough'" said Wildcat head coach Ken Orwoll. "Lindsey had the jump of her life in the preliminaries. She went to state last year, and just missed this year."
Senior long jumper Sam Genung faced some different bad luck of her own. She strained a muscle during warm-ups and had trouble getting the speed and lift she needed for a state-qualifying jump. She finished eighth overall. "Sam was so fired up for this," said Orwoll. "We felt bad that she didn't get a chance to show what she can really do. We were proud of her for going out there and still placing."
In the 800 meter run, junior Chelsea Johnson tucked herself in behind a St. Francis runner to prepare for the final push. But as other runners started to make their moves, Johnson was boxed in. By the time she got out to make her kick, the other top runners had already moved up and Johnson ended up in fifth place.
Kristina Miller "had a great day," said Orwoll. She finished fifth in the discus with a personal record throw of 103'10", one inch more than her previous personal best. And she finished eighth in the shot put.
The 4x800 relay team of freshmen Mary Cross and Kelsey Sorensen, eighth-grader Kaylee Ryan and Johnson finished sixth. Orwoll said "They ran well and got themselves up on the medal stand."
BOYS
Sophomore Alex Vitalis jumped 12'6" in the pole vault, setting a new personal record by one foot and setting a sophomore record. Vitalis nearly made the next height, but had to settle for fourth place on the day. "Twelve feet six inches is a big breakthrough for a sophomore on the road," said Orwoll. "I think he's going to continue to improve and do very well for s in the future."
The 4x100 relay team "had great handoffs all around," said Orwoll. "Considering that none of them placed in the top eight in the open 100 or open 200, fifth place is a very good finish." The 4 by 100 team consisted of freshman Trevor Thurnbeck, senior Brad Reineccius, junior Riley Myers and senior Mark Shaleen.
The boys' 4 by 800 team ran very well. Junior Brad Johnson had a great split to start with and the other runners, juniors Ben Stanghelle, Alex Walter and Dom Novak, followed with great splits of their own to earn sixth place and a spot on the medal stand.
Senior Craig Close did well in the section tournament. On Wednesday, he made the finals of the triple jump. He just missed placing, but set a personal record with a jump of 40'6.5". On Saturday, he had another personal record in the long jump. Close also ran in two relays on Saturday. "That was really fun to see," said Orwoll. "I don't know how he was even staying awake after the all-night senior party the night before. He not only stayed awake, but performed well."
Eric Helps had a decent day, placing seventh in the discus. "Mr. Consistency", Riley Myers placed seventh in the high jump. "He's always there and always working hard at it," said Orwoll.
Comments:
Commenting has been disabled for this item.