BY BILL MORGAN, STAFF WRITER

 

 

Head Coach Paul Schmidt said, “The two days were ones that they will never forget.”  

 

 

Seniors Austin Hemmelgarn, Sidney Boros, Justin Kringler, Jonathan Novak and Ethan Holm were joined by juniors Justin Gruenes and Kevin Andres as well as sophomore David Myres to compete on the states’ biggest stage in track and field.

 

Myres, competing in the 110M high hurdles, ran a good race but didn't make finals placing 15th overall.  

 

“David continues to improve every time he runs that race and I can only imagine where he can be  the next couple of years,” said Schmidt. “This was a great experience for David to run at this meet with this competition.”

 

In the 4x200M prelims, Boros got off to a great start but finished his leg of the race under strained conditions with a hamstring injury he has been nursing all year.  

 

“We really thought we were past all that after sections and the incredible performance Sid had there,” said Schmidt. “But injuries like that can linger and pop up at any time.”

 

Amazingly, Becker’s next three runners — Jordan Gruenes, Austin Hemmelgarn and Kevin Andres — fought their way back to make it to finals and a chance to run Saturday in that event.

 

Andres elevated the Bulldogs’ outlook at state in the 400M as he turned in a great race by breaking the school record and putting him into the finals with the fifth best time at 49.67.  

 

After much discussion with the athletic trainers, the decision to pull Boros from the rest of the events that day was made with the hope he could possibly run Saturday. 

 

“So Sid did not get a chance to run his open 200 meter race and in the 4x400 race. Kringler ran in his place,” said Schmidt.   

 

The team of Kringler, Hemmelgarn, Gruenes and Andres made it to finals easily  with a 3:26 time.

 

 

Saturday brought rain delays and uncertainty as the day progressed.  The decision to hold Boros for the 4x400M was made so Myres ran the opening leg of the 4x200M just as the rain started coming down.  The foursome of Myres, Gruenes, Hemmelgarn and Andres finished in ninth place.

 

Andres then got a chance to shine in his race after a 30-minute lightning delay and he did not disappoint. Andres re-broke his school record set the day before and finished in fourth place with a time of 49.58.  

 

“In the last week, Kevin has been able to find an extra gear in the last 100 meters of the races that he didn't have early in the season,” said the head coach. 

 

“That has led to him running under 50 seconds in all of the 400 races these last few weeks.”

 

In the 4x400M, Becker ran the same team as prelims since Boros was determined to not be able to run. 

 

“It took a lot of courage to make that decision on Sid's part because I know he desperately wanted to run that race,” said Schmidt. “But he also knew that if he wasn't able to run it, the team would suffer.”  

 

Becker ran a great race and finished in seventh place.

 

“I couldn't have asked for a better group of young men to take to this event,” said Schmidt.  “They were poised and confident and battled through adversity to make Becker track proud.”

 

“We are going to really miss those seniors and their leadership but at the same time look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead for those underclassmen.” 

 

 

The Becker boys track team shared their banquet experience with the girls team last week. 

 

“It was a great night to celebrate the successes of an outstanding season with individual awards and the focus of team and what Becker accomplished this year,” said Coach Schmidt.

 

Highest point scorer this year was a tie between Sam Ricker and David Myres;

 

Most dedicated award went to Ethan Holm;

 

Most improved award went to David Myres;

 

Rookie of the year award went to Jack Belde;

 

Next years captains were named:  Kevin Andres, Jordan Gruenes, Jack Belde and Sam Ricker.

 

The boys track team had 26 letter winners this year with 14 first time letter winners.  First time winners were: Bryce Boser, Nate Croal, Mitchell Enerson, Davin Johnson, Lachlan Lahr, Erik Parson, Jack Belde, Basil Ricker, Noah Fakhreddine, Tyler Matvick, Lukas Karel and Michael Schmitz;

 

Returning letter winners were: Sidney Boros, Jacob Drury, Austin Hemmelgarn, Ethan Holm, Justin Kringler, Jonathan Novak, Nick Radunz, William Schendel, Kevin Andres, Jordan Gruenes, Sam Ricker and David Myres.

 

Gruenes was awarded the team’s Scholar Athlete award by retaining a perfect 4.00 GPA throughout the year.