“It was a little more stressful this year as the pressure was on Becker to perform and repeat as the top team in the conference,” said Head Coach Paul Schmidt.”We have battled through injuries and other obstacles this year and I am so proud of the way our team stepped up and filled in to score points in any way they could for our team.”  

 

Losing Sidney Boros this year to injury was one obstacle that Becker had to overcome. Schmidt saw Austin Hemmelgarn step up to fill the spot vacated by Boros.  

 

Tuesday, Hemmelgarn was Becker’s leading team scorer by placing second in the 100M and 200M where he received all-conference honors.  Hemmelgarn also  long jumped to score critical points for the Bulldogs.  He placed seventh with an 18'5" jump.  

 

Hemmelgarn was also the lead runner for the 4x200M team with Matt Davalos, Michael Bloss and Ethan Holm who finished fifth.

 

Matt Davalos continued his domination in the 300M hurdles with a win and earning all-conference honors in a time of 42.35.  Davalos was also part of the 4x400M winning all-conference team that consisted of  Mason Makarrall, Jordan Gruenes and Kevin Andres.  

 

“That was a really big race for us at that point because we really didn't know the outcome of the meet as a team and knew that it was going to be close,” said Schmidt.  “It also meant that Jordan and Mason earned all-conference honors, which they both deserved with the way they have performed this year.”  

 

Andres earlier in the meet ran his top time of the year in the 400M with a 50.58.  

 

“Kevin just gets better and stronger each meet,” said Schmidt.  

 

Andres also finished fourth in the 200M to score major points for Becker's team.

 

The meet was kicked off with the 4x800M relay team picking up a third place and breaking the school record in the relay for the second time.  

 

“When you are running against two of the top teams in the state, there is a little extra adrenaline and our team of Makarrall, Novak, Justin Kringler and Sam Ricker gave it their all, finishing with a new record time of 8:31.61,”  said Schmidt. 

 

“I think my favorite race of the night came in the 800M where 11th-seeded Kringler decided to go out an set the pace for the race.”

 

Schmidt says Kringler is always telling him that he has more in the tank when he is finished.  

 

“His lead held through the first 650 meters, where he did get passed by four athletes including his teammate Mason Makarrall,” said Schmidt. “But Justin finished fifth and had a new personal best of 2:06.7.”

 

Makarrall finished third with a 2:05.7.

 

Ricker picked up all-conference honors in the 1600M with a second place finish in a time of 4:41.48. Brady Scheeley also earned all-conference honors with a triple jump of 39' 7.25", which was good for second place.

 

Dawson Thom achieved honorable mention, all-conference in discus with a third place finish and picked up fourth place in the shot put. Nick Radunz (disc) and Ryan Nohner (shot) nailed down sixth and seventh place.  

 

Luke Pappenfus picked up a couple important points for Becker in the 3200M with a seventh place finish and Ethan Holm scored points in the triple jump (fourth and honorable mention) and a seventh in the pole vault.  

 

Jacob Drury, coming back from injury, jumped well enough to earn a tie for sixth place in the high jump and David Myres finished eighth in the 110M hurdles.

 

“It was a fantastic night for the Bulldogs,” said Schmidt.  “I am very proud of all the guys that competed and worked hard for the team.  They can all be proud of their accomplishments.”  

 

Team scores: 1). Becker 120.5; 2). Albany 103.5; 3). Mora 103; 4). Zimmerman 97.5; 5). Foley 94; 6). Little Falls 87; 7). Milaca  50.5; 8). Cathedral 45.

 

Next meet is the last chance meet in Little Falls next Tuesday before gearing up for sections the following week.