Port boys, girls start track with top-5 finishes

The Port Washington High School girls’ track and field team began the season with a fourth-place finish in the 18-team indoor Raider Invite last Friday at Sheboygan North.

The Pirates scored 52.66 points, behind Oak Creek’s 91.66, Slinger’s 70.66 and Plymouth’s 66.5.

Many of Port’s points came from its distance crew of fast cross country runners.

“That’s kind of a thing we’ve got going,” track and cross country coach Joe Adamak said.

Sophomore Bethany Stacey took second in the 1,600 meters in 5 minutes, 43.38 seconds and third in the 800 in 2:38.44.

Senior Jill Cavanaugh was second in the 3,200 in 12:59.33, and sophomore Mira Stimac was third in 13:07.09.

The 3,200 relay team of Cavanaugh, Katie Erlandson, Emma Goodman and Stimac was second in 11:13.56.

Senior Jane Kautz was fourth in the triple jump at 31 feet, 1 inch, and the 1,600 relay team of Grace Schumacher, Kautz, Summer Normille and Abby Fritsch was fourth in 4:43.32.

Adamak said he has about 40 girls on the team, a typical number in recent memory. He said the indoor season gives his team a chance to compete, learn and get in shape.

Ozaukee scored 33 points for ninth place.

Delanie McFadden, a state qualifier in the 100 and 200, took second in the 55 dash in 7.32 and in the 200 in 28.63. Kelley Large was fifth in the 3,200 in 13:22.

Coach Andrew Pfeuffer said 14 girls are on the team. Sprints and distance will be strengths as the Warriors look to replace shot put and discus state title winner Emma Richards.

Port’s boys took fifth last Thursday in the Raider Invite with 46 points. Slinger won with 125.5.

The 960 relay team of George Klassen, Will Stopczynski, Will Handziak and Isaac Bensen took second in 2:09.77.

Stopczynski was third in the long jump with an 18-10.25, and Handziak was third in the triple jump with a 37-10 after not practicing the event all season.

The 3,200 relay team of Bensen, Jake Markiewicz, Gabe Pasten and Zach Gephart was third in 9:28.68.

Brett Grisar, fresh off wrestling season, was fourth in the 1,600 in 5:07.7, and Klassen was fourth in the 55 hurdles in 8.25. Ben Pasten was fifth in the 3,200 in 11:26.

Coach Mark Pasten said more than 40 boys are on the team this year, down a little from five years ago. School enrollment is also lower, he said.

“But I think we’ve got quality and sometimes that’s more important than quantity,” he said.

Pasten hopes to get Jake Lippe back from an injured wrist and Mitchell Niemeyer from a torn ACL. Deron Spicer will help on sprints this year.

With baseball now a spring sport, Pasten said Klassen and Handziak are going to try track and baseball. He and baseball coach C.J. Koehler are cooperating to allow it.

“I commend them for taking on the challenge,” Pasten said.

Ozaukee’s boys scored 12 points and took 13th. Trent Simpson was fifth in the high jump at 5-8.

Pfeuffer said he has 16 boys on the team, many of whom are new.

Grafton girls nearly win first meet

Grafton’s girls scored 48 points to take second at the Nelson-Daniels Invite last Friday at Whitewater. Pewaukee scored 52.

Kate Senczyszyn won the 400 in 1:04.51, and Grace Gasser won the high jump with a 5-2.

The 800 relay team of Delaney Reindl, Kirsten Van Ryzin, Gasser and Ava Wilmanns was second in 1:55.79, and the 1,600 relay team of Maddy Wille, Wilmanns, Julia Wille and Morgan Ruona was second in 4:24.52.

Taylor Weiss was fourth in shot put with a 32-11.75.

Cedar Grove-Belgium scored four points for 18th place.

The Grafton boys scored 23 points and were 11th of 23 teams. Jordon Abts was fourth in the 55 dash in 6.88, and Joey Giorgi was fifth in 6.89. Abts was fourth in the long jump with a 20-1.5, and Zander Lichosik was fourth in the 800 in 2:08.3.

Cedar Grove-Belgium scored one point.