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Mikayla Johnson was hoping to make one final vault up the state tournament ladder last week at the state track and field meet, but she finished in third place for the second year in a row in the pole vault event.

She was topped by record-breaking vaulter Andrianna Jacobs of Rochester Century and a freshman from Mounds View who came out of nowhere this year to claim the second spot.

Johnson’s second place highlighted four athletes of North Branch’s at the state tournament.

After a scare at the 10’3” height that saw Johnson miss her first two attempts, she cleared the height on her third run before clearing 10’9” on her first jump. She then cleared all the through 12 feet before falling at 12’3”. Jacobs cleared a state-record 13’3” for the championship and Julia Fixsen, the Mounds View frosh, cleared 13 feet.

Also participating was Rhianna Rinke, who finished eighth in the 1,600 meter run, Kennedy Ashley, who qualified in both the long jump and the 200 meter dash, and Aliah Williams, who took part in the high jump.

Ashley finished in 13th place in the 200 after finishing in 22.49 seconds. In the long jump, Ashley fell short of his seed distance, leaping 20’1.25”, finishing in 16th place.

Williams cleared 4’10” in her only height of the day before struggling at the five foot height.

Chisago Lakes
The Wildcat boys’ 4x200 meter relay team, seeded 14th overall, finished seventh in their heat and 13th overall.  Only the top nine teams advanced to Saturday’s finals, so the boys were done on Friday.  The 4x200 relay team members were Thomas Strand, Dylan Blaul, Alex Morehead and Arran Hickcox.  Izzy Hindt competed in the 400 meter run preliminaries.  She was seeded 13th, finished seventh in her heat and 11th overall.  Since she did not make the top nine, she did not compete in Saturday’s finals.

About the boy’s 4x200 team, Wildcat head coach Ken Orwoll said, “Times were running a bit slow for everyone.  It seemed like almost everyone was affected by the heat. Some athletes were really struggling.  Overall we handled it pretty well.  We were in lane one and, with the four turn stagger, it was hard to tell if we were ever in the race.  Thomas Strand got a good start and held his own.  Our handoffs were a little too safe, which cost us some time.  We just didn't get the baton to Arran in a very good situation for him to chase anyone down.”

Orwoll also said, “I was very pleased with Izzy's race.  Again, times were slower than the seed times due to nerves and the heat.  Going into the race, Izzy had a better time than just two other runners.  She finished ahead of four for eleventh place.  I was impressed with how she handled being at state.  While getting instructions in the clerking tent just before the race a girl fainted and others were feeling the effects of the heat.  Izzy ran a great first 200 and was with the leaders, but wasn't able to kick the last 50 meters like she did at sections.

Orwoll said “This was a great experience for all five athletes, and I am extremely proud of them.  The atmosphere with a big stadium and thousands of fans is something they will never forget. They are all underclassmen and will be better prepared to deal with the pressures, excitement and heat next year.”

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