Grafton girls are faster, farther and higher

By MITCH MAERSCH

Ozaukee Press staff

The usual cast from last season is already running past the competition for the Grafton High School girls’ track and field team, and on Saturday they pulled off the unusual with help from some young talent.

The Black Hawks scored 58 points and won the Nelson/Daniels Classic Small School Meet at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Freshman Claire Wille won the only event for the Black Hawks, taking the 800-meter run in 2 mintues, 35.36 seconds, but Grafton racked up 10 other top-eight finishes to pull away. Dominican was second with 48.5 points, and Stoughton scored 42 in the 22-team meet.

“Going in, we knew we had a chance to do well, but I don’t think anyone thought we would actually win the meet. It was the girls first win at a meet in quite some time,” coach Jason Meinen said.

A handful of girls scored the bulk of the Black Hawks’ points, but plenty of others contributed.

Senior Grace Viesselmann was second in high jump at 5 feet, and the 1,600 relay of Viesslemann, juniors Natalie Manuel and Josie Gehrke and freshman Emily Sewell was second in 4:24.93.

The 800 relay of Manuel, Sewell, Gwen Grumley and Viesselmann was third in 1:52.24.

Tatum Wiedenhaft was third in shot put with a throw of 35 feet, 7 inches, farther than the winner in the large school meet.

Grumley was fourth in the 55 dash in 7.69 seconds, and freshman Callie Faust was fourth in the 1,600 in 5:45.38.

Manuel was fifth in the triple jump with a leap of 32-1-1/4, and Gehrke was fifth in the 400 in 1:04.61 ­— faster than the large school winner.

Josie Gasser was eighth in the long jump with 14-4-1/2, and Bryanna Mursch was eighth in shot put with 31-6.

“Tatum and Bryanna were solid in the throws, getting us some good points,” Meinen said.

Meinen shed praise up and down his lineup, especially for Viesselmann, Grumley and Manuel.

“They set the tone for our team and aregreat leaders,” he said.

Freshmen Faust, Wille and Sewell were pleasant surprises, Meinen said.

“Claire won the 800 and she wasn’t even in the fast section. Emily ran really good legs in the 800 and 1,600 relays, and even anchored the 1,600 for us. Callie wasn’t in the fast section for the 1,600 either, but still finished fourth,” he said.

“It was a great start for these three girls as they looked well beyond their years. They have some really bright futures.”

Sudbrink stands out for Grafton boys

The Black Hawk boys finished with 19.5 points and in 12th place of 20 teams, the same place as last year. Pewaukee won with 81. Edgewood had 47.

Senior Jared Sudbrink finished second in high jump at 5-10.

“Jared looked real good in the high jump. He had some good attempts at 6-0,” Meinen said.

Junior Matt Schirger was fifth in the 55 dash in 6.894, and Keegan Vaculik was fifth in the 3,200 in 11:25.97.

The 1,600 relay of Ian Mitchell, David Fandler, Tanner Marien and Schirger was seventh in 3:54.89.

“Schirger looked good in the 55 and was strong anchoring the 800 and 1,600 relays,” Meinen said.

“Ian Mitchell ran well in the 400 and 1,600 relay as well. He looks to be in good shape coming from his swim season.”

The Hawks were to compete in the Ripon Invite on Tuesday, March 21, and in the Ripon Showcase on Saturday, March 25.