Wade wins state in discus, Badgers win nine medals
Photo by ROBERT LAVALA The 1600 Medley team took 6th place at state. From left: Nick Bertling, Nolan Stidham, Warren Carle and Isaac Lavala.
Photo by ROBERT LAVALA Badger Jack Wade won the state championship in the discus with a throw of 146’3.” Hard work payed off for the senior as he comes home with a gold medal.
Photo by ROBERT LAVALA Badger Victoria Smith competes in the pole vault.
Photo by ROBERT LAVALA Badger Natasha Webster competes in the 400 meters.
The Badgers track and field team sent 11 athletes to the 3A State Tournament last weekend in Middleton.
The team came back with nine medals, including a gold for Jack Wade, who won state in the discus with a throw of 146’3”.
Head Coach Tyler Warner said he was pleased with the effort of the whole team throughout the season, and very proud of the effort shown at state.
“We had 11 athletes go, and we were pretty happy with that,” Warner said. “And to bring home nine individual medals out of 11 kids felt pretty good. And Jack Wade winning the discus was a huge deal, and a nice surprise. He puts in a lot of work and is very humble. For him to go out and win state ws pretty awesonme.”
The rest of the team fared almost as well, with some younger athletes making a case for a long career for the Badgers.
“Freshman Jerzie Pluid medaling at state in the high jump is a pretty big deal” he said. “That’s a good sign for her for years to come, I think. She’ll keep getting better and hopefully still advancing. She could be another state champion if she wants it.”
Senior Warren Carle qualified for the finals in the 300 meter hurdles, ranking him as one of the top hurdlers in the state.
“Warren finished 8th in the finals, but he was still one of the top eight 300 hurdlers in the state,” Warner said. “That’s something to be proud of. Same with Natasha Webster in the 400, to finish in the top 10 is pretty cool. To put it in perspective, not only did these kids get to state, it’s valuable experience for them, they just don’t have the hardware to show for it.”
The Badgers will lose a number of seniors to graduation, but Warner is encouraged by the athletes coming up the ranks.
“We lose Jack, Nolan Stidham who competed in the 800 meters,” Warner said. “And the kids who didn’t make state are hard to replace, those are the hard-working kids. They set the example and motivate those around them. And you hope that this year’s juniors look to that example, as well as leaving an imprint on the younger kids.”
Jack Wade - State Campion for Discus - 146'3"
Warren Carle - 8th place - 300 m Hurdles
Isaac Lavala - 5th place Pole Vault
Haley Wenk - 10th place Shot Put and 6th Discus
Jerzie Pluid - 5th place High Jump
Jordan Young - 6th place 800 m and 5th mile - 5:31
Nolan Stidham - 800m
Victoria Smith - Pole Vault
1600 Medley Team - 6th place
Nick Bertling, Isaac Lavala, Warren Carle and Nolan Stidham.
May 20th at Districts, for State qualifying, Isaac Lavala broke the historic District record for pole vault - 14'6".
Congratulations Badgers! We are all proud of your success.