Bay Port’s Eniola Adeniji competes in the long jump (file photo).
BY RICH PALZEWIC
CORRESPONDENT
SUAMICO – Numerous members of the Bay Port track and field team moved on to the WIAA D1 sectional meet May 24 at St. Norbert’s Schneider Stadium.
Athletes competed in the Bay Port Regional May 21 in rainy conditions, where the top four participants in each event advanced forward.
Only the top two placings at the sectional meet are guaranteed to compete in La Crosse June 1-2 for the state meet.
Boys: A week after beating Green Bay Preble in the Fox River Classic Conference meet by the narrowest of margins, the Hornets reversed the order to win the regional title by a 175-163 margin.
Those advancing to sectionals were Matt Ashley (100, 4th – 11.51), Mitchell Merhalski (400, 3rd – 51.47), Kyle Thieme (800, 2nd – 2:00.85), Drew Dahlin (800, 3rd – 2:00.91), Ryan Thieme (1600, 3rd – 4:50.82), Andrew Aderhold (3200, 4th – 10:26.03), Monty Wendricks (110 hurdles, 1st – 15.77), Noah Key (110 hurdles, 3rd – 16.97), the 4×100 (4th, 45.02), 4×400 (2nd – 3:27.65) and the 4×800 (4th, 8:45.82) relay teams, Griffin Hawley (high jump, 4th – 5-08.00), Dylan Grosskreutz (pole vault, 2nd – 12-00.00), Isaiah Gash (long jump, 3rd – 20-05.25; triple jump, 2nd – 41-03.00), Owen Miller (long jump, 4th – 20-04.00), Jack Plumb (shot put, 2nd – 51-04.50; discus, 3rd – 136-04), Braden Doyle (shot put, 4th – 46-07.00; discus, 1st – 143-04) and Matt Rotter (discus, 4th – 133-00).
Cordell Tinch, a two-time state champ (triple jump, long jump), did not compete for the Pirates due to an athletic-code violation, and therefore will not be able to attend the sectional or state meet. Tinch also didn’t compete at conference May 15.
“It was another successful meet,” said boys’ head coach Andy Nuthals. “Obviously at this time of the year it’s not possible for everything to go the way you plan, but the boys were able to get someone through in 15 of the 18 events, which is exciting. The competition will now amp up as we travel to St. Norbert for sectionals. This is the time of year where you get to see who has that little extra drive down the home stretch.”
Girls: The Pirates girls’ team also finished second behind Preble by a 160.5 to 149 margin.
Bay Port advanced girls in 11 of the 18 events.
Bailey Cisar was a double winner in the 200 (26.76) and 400 (1:02.05).
Others advancing to sectionals were Savannah Huben (800, 1st – 2:24.70), Rachel Hoffman (3200, 4th – 12:20.09), the 4×100 (4th – 52.33), 4×400 (4th – 4:22.75) and 4×800 (3rd – 10:30.64) relay teams, Ella Meeuwsen (high jump, 1st – 5-00.00), Olivia Mabry (pole vault, 1st – 11-00.00), Caitlyn DeValk (shot put, 1st – 32-09.75; discus, 3rd – 100-03) and Elizabeth Blindauer (shot put, 2nd – 32-07.00; discus, 1st – 106-08).
To read how else the Bay Port track & field teams are helping area youth, CLICK HERE.