State track & field roundup

By Erik Buchinger

Eight athletes from New London, Clintonville and Hortonville competed at the state track and field championships in La Crosse on June 1-2.

New London’s 4×800 meter relay team of Noah Schiedermayer, Riley Titterton, Jeff Smolinski and Max Krause finished sixth in the race with a time of 8:12.12.

“It was crazy,” Krause said. “I never expected I would go to state as a sophomore, let alone get a medal here, so it was pretty cool.”

Krause also finished 13th in the 400 meter dash in 50.99.

“I did pretty bad in it,” Krause said. “I just wasn’t feeling that good, but there’s always two more years. I was nervous. Halfway through the race, it kind of snapped and I wasn’t nervous anymore.”

New London thrower Mackenzie Monty finished ninth in the shot put (37-03.00) and 10th in the discus (120-00).

“For my first time at state, I feel like I did pretty well,” Monty said. “There’s always room for improvements.”

Monty said her favorite part of her state experience was interacting with the other athletes.

“They’re such great girls and they’re really fun to talk to and hang out with even though they’re your competition,” Monty said.

New London’s Brayden Kurth finished third in the long jump with a score of 20-07.50.

“Overall, it was a good performance,” Kurth said. “I knew coming in that if I wanted to place on the podium, I’d have to jump over 21, and that’s exactly what I did.”

Kurth said he was excited to end his high school track and field career at state.

“It’s awesome, I love it,” Kurth said. “I wouldn’t want it to end any other way, so I’m happy.

“I’ve enjoyed hanging out with all the friends that come with, family and the atmosphere around the track. There’s so many people here that just love track, and they’re excited for you to be here. It’s a lot of fun.”

Clintonville’s Allysin Booth competed in two events for the Truckers in the high jump and 100-meter hurdles.

Booth finished third in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.21 but thought her time could have been improved.

“I wanted to do better,” Booth said. “That was all in my mind the whole time. I wanted to beat yesterday’s first and second place. We were all really close, so it’s OK.”

The day before, Booth tied for ninth in the high jump (5-00.00).

“I’m not upset about the loss at high jump,” Booth said. “I made it to state in the high jump, which is pretty cool, but hurdles were my main focus this year as always.”

Hortonville’s Aliza Van Den Elzen tied for fourth in the girls’ high jump with a score of 5-04.00.

“I went out and had some fun today,” Van Den Elzen said. “I’m just glad I performed how I can perform.”

Van Den Elzen said she enjoyed her first state competition.

“It’s been unreal,” Van Den Elzen said. “There’s so many good athletes here, and I’m just happy to be here to compete. I like being around all the other athletes and the competition. It’s fun.”