Lady Vikings collect yet another track title

 Another week, another awesome performance by the Wausa High School track and field teams.

The Vikings traveled to the Jim Winch/Winside Invitational in Laurel last week and the girls captured the crown with 137 points, while the boys, despite low numbers, once again performed well, taking third with 81 points.

“We maintained or got PRs throughout the meet,” Wausa head coach Greg Conn said. “We did not fall off at all from the conference meet. A couple of surprises that we had were sophomore Josh Wattier who won the long jump at 19-1 and this was his first time he competed in that event all season. Sophomore Christina Martinson narrowly won the 1,600-meter which now gives us two very strong 1,600-meter runners along with Darla Nelson - both are running 5:52.

“So, we have a couple of twists to our lineup for the district meet.”

At Laurel, the winning girls team was led by the massive performance throughout the roster, featuring Christine Martinson (first, 1,600 meters, 5:52.39; second, 800 meters, 2:31.59), Darla Nelson (first, 3,200 meters, 12:23.91; second, 1,600 meters, 5:52.65), Abrielle Nelson (first, 300 hurdles, 48.58; second, 100 hurdles, 17.64), Taylor Alexander (first, discus, 106-07), Morgan Kleinschmit (second, shot put, 35-08.75; fifth, discus, 91-06), the 4x100 relay (second, 55.15), the 4x800 relay (second, 11:30.69), the 400 sprint medley (second, 1:03.06), the 4x400 relay (third, 4:30.6), Hunter West (fourth, 800 meters, 2:43.63; sixth, high jump, 4-04;), Alexa Cunningham (first, high jump, 4-08; third, long jump, 15-01.25; fourth, 200 meters, 28.2), Brooke Kumm (fifth, high jump, 4-06; fifth, 400 meters, 1:07.01), Alexis Munter (fifth, shot put, 31-05.5), Leah Bloomquist (sixth, 200 meters, 28.69) and Carry Martinson (sixth, 3,200 meter, 13:44.74).

The boys got plenty of scoring from Addison Smith (first, 3,200 meters, 10:26.13; first, 1,600 meters, 4:51.52), Brandon Kristensen (second, 400 meters, 53.96; third, triple jump, 38-01.5; fourth, high jump, 5-06), Tyler Baue (second, 300 hurdles, 43.22; fourth, 110 hurdles, 16.63), Jaxon Claussen (second, 5-10; fifth, long jump, 18-04.25), the 4x400 relay (third, 3:44.03), Josh Wattier (first, long jump, 19-01.75; fourth, 100 meters, 12.2), Cade Wakeley (sixth, 3,200 meters, 11:22.42), the 4x100 relay (sixth, 49.56) and Colin Wieseler (sixth, triple jump, 36- 01).

The district meet will be Wednesday in Hartington.

“We are ready to go, and the hay is in the barn,” Conn said. “We now have the right lineup, and we just have to fine tune a couple of things and its go time.

“Our Kids are ready, and we just have to go out do our best on Wednesday. Keep getting those PRs and we will be good.”

Of course, that happens when the team has not only navigated competition so well, but also the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftereffects.

“Yes, we were a little rusty coming out of the gate but that didn’t last long, once we got the machine rolling, it didn’t take long to see that this could be a pretty special group of athletes and they are,” Conn said. “The only thing I can tell you from a track coaches perspective is that everyone was so excited to have a season and a post season, I think the thought of COVID-19 kind of went by the wayside in terms of we were outside and that the vaccinations helped the mindset.”

Nelson is one of the athletes that have taken care of business on and off the track as her continual rising dominance in long distance events has become something of note.

“I am just really glad to get the opportunity to run this year especially since we didn’t have a track season because of COVID,” Nelson said. “It’s nice to just be able to get out and run again.

“Being on cross country has really helped me because we worked out a lot in the summer. The team also pushes and supports each other and that really helps me get a better mentality.”

Nelson said those elements helped her make the leap from her freshman year to her junior one. The onetime volleyball player who quit the sport due to feeling a bit awkward on the court, has found her home on the running paths.

“I did cross country my sophomore year and that’s what caused me to do longer distances in track: I didn’t have the coordination it took to play volleyball and I felt humiliated every time,” Nelson said. “I didn’t even know I liked running. From freshman year to this one I gained more confidence in myself. My freshman year I was in the shadow of my sister (Esther) when we both did the 800. I am better in long distances, so I found something that I am good at.

“God just really blessed me with the ability to run and I am grateful for that opportunity. I don’t always feel like working hard every day, but it’s important to do your best for that day.”

Stay in the know!

To get news alerts on your cell phone, get the Cedar County News app in the ITunes store or  in the Google Play Store.