Wausa’s track will be represented at State — again
WAUSA — The Wausa Vikings track and field program once again made its mark in district competition and will be represented at the state finals. Wash-rinse-repeat.
Wash-rinse-repeat.
The Vikings ran at the D-3 meet in Humphrey last week and the girls team finished second out of nine teams (75 points), while the boys ended up in fifth place (65 points).
“We had pretty tough conditions heat wise as the thermometer reached in the upper 90s, while the track temperature was over 100,” Wausa head coach Greg Conn said. “I thought our kids battled well today and did a great job of hydrating and keeping themselves shaded. As always, these kids find ways to get PR’s on the last day of the season and that is truly what it’s all about.
“I told our kids that I am very proud of them and not only for today but for the entire season in terms of how they competed and battled every day in practice because we just could not get very many good training days or meets for that matter. I wish I could take them all to the state meet because they all battled like champions on this the final day of the season.”
The Wausa state qualifiers include Abrielle Nelson (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 4x400 relay), Darla Nelson (mile, 2-mile, 4x400 relay), Leah Bloomquist (4x400 relay), Alexa Cunningham (long jump, 4x400 relay) and Taylor Alexander (discus) for the girls.
“For the girls, we have the ability to do something special,” Conn said. “Yes, at state all things have to hit just right, but what we have to do is take care of our business and be the competitors that we are. We have all but one girl who has three years of state track experience and that will go a long way for us.
“Abrielle, Darla and Leah have the most experience and Alexa will come back as a two-time qualifier. Taylor Alexander will compete in her first state meet. The exciting thing with all of our girls is that they have put up marks constantly all season long that are top five marks and we could put ourselves right in the hunt of a trophy.”
Vikings that advanced to state were Addison Smith (mile, 2-mile) and Tyler Baue (110 and 300 hurdles).
“Addison and Tyler, have the same opportunity to score well,” Conn said. “Last year, these two alone finished in the top 10 in the team standings and with their experience and marks they have put up this year could push them to the top five in team standings.”
Darla Nelson has the state’s top time in the mile in the state and is second in the two mile with Addison Smith in the same events.
“At the District meet, Tyler put himself in contention to medal in the top three in the 110s and if we get to the 41 mark, anything is possible,” Conn said. “Taylor has been in the 120s consistently from mid-season on and has a great chance at a state medal. Alexa hit a big long jump at the district meet and she also could scratch out a medal.
“The girls 4x400 could also medal like they did last year coming in as an underdog could surprise a lot of teams. It will be exciting, and these kids will be ready to go. We have some work to do: Tweak a couple of things, but I like our chances with both our squads to make some noise at the state meet.”
Smith, who had two top five finishes including a second place in last year’s two-mile at state is confident in his ability to make another big showing.
“I want to see what everybody else does, maybe push the pace a little bit and see what I can do,” Smith said. “I definitely go into races with more confidence, and I don’t really worry about how I am going to run. I just know that I am going to push myself and I have been working on it since the beginning of the season.
“The boys did really good, and some were disappointed on how they did because it was very hot. Next year, we definitely have some work to do. A lot of guys were really close from making it to state.”
