Hodgepodge of results for Hawks at state

If this was 2024, the Grafton High School girls’ 1,600 relay team would be Division 2 state champions.

But as the ebb and flows of track and field seasons go, the Black Hawks came back with sixth-place medals from La Crosse last weekend, one year after taking fourth with three of the same runners.

The team of Emily Sewell, Abby Barthelemy, Marissa Morgan and Cali Tagliapietra broke a school record by finishing in 3 minutes, 57.06 seconds. That would have been fifth in the Division 1 race.

“The key to their success has been their consistency. From day one, they have been ready to take on any and all competitors,” coach Jason Meinen said.

“They ran together starting at the State Indoor Meet and all the way to the state final. Every time they ran, you knew it was going to be a fast effort. We are definitely going to miss Marissa and her calmness, and I am hoping we will have some girls who would like to step up and fill her role. I said this last year, and I will say it again. I would not be surprised if the 4x400 record gets broken next year.”

It took a state record to win the 3,200 relay, and Bloomer and University School of Milwaukee both broke it. Grafton’s team of Callie Faust, Tagliapietra, Morgan and Sewell was third in a school record 9:22.75. Faust wasn’t even 100% and was one of two returning runners who helped the squad to fifth at state last season.

“We knew the 4x800 could be special. It was just a matter of the girls buying in, and did they ever,” Meinen said.

“A relay that ran together for the first time on May 10 at the Myrhum Invite — less than a month together — ended up third in the state. That’s crazy. I also believe this relay will be back at state, and feel like they can run even faster and contend for that title.”

Senior Josie Gasser finished eighth in the triple jump with a distance of 35 feet, 6 inches, barely four inches from a sixth-place medal.

“I’m very proud of Josie. She missed most of last season with a knee injury and worked really hard in the offseason to get ready for this year,” Meinen said. “She was a leader of the jumps crew and one of the most talented jumpers I have ever coached.”

Faust finished 15th in the 3,200 in 11:38.36 on Friday. She aggravated an injury and wasn’t able to compete in the 1,600 the next day.

The girls’ team scored 16 points and placed 15th of 58 teams that scored points.

Tatum Wiedenhaft broke through and got third in the shot put. (See story on page 7A.)

Boys suffer mix of heartbreak

The Hawks’ 800 relay of Max Glab, Jack Nelson, Vinh Ho and Seva Belousov qualified in seventh place in the preliminary race but was later disqualified due to a lane violation.

The 400 relay of Ho, DJ James, Tyler Deer and Nelson finished 11th in the preliminary race, missing the finals by three/100ths of a second.

Jack Marti was injured on his first attempt in the triple jump and couldn’t continue.

Tyler Heinle leaped 19-10 and finished 16th in the long jump.

“It was a busy day on Friday and a very emotional day with everything that was happening. I’ve been doing this for a long time, but can’t remember getting hit with all of the ups and downs at one state meet,” Meinen said.

“If you are a believer in such, the law of averages tells us we are in store for a big meet in the future. Fingers crossed.”