Becker’s two state track star qualifiers — Hannah Schmidt and Dillon Radunz — competed last Saturday at Hamline University in the Class AA State Championships.

Schmidt captured 14th place in the pole vault and Radunz fifth place in shot put.

 

At Saturday’s meet, Radunz broke  his personal record on his second throw in the preliminaries catapulting him into the finals. On his second throw in the finals, Radunz again upped the school record with a 57' 7" throw to secure fifth place in state. 

 

Clint Lockwood of Blaine captured first place with a throw of 61’ 4”. He was followed by Eric Rousemiller of Lakeville South (58’ 4.75”), Kieran McKeag of Apple Valley (58’ 1”) and Trevor Otterdahl of Rosemount (57’ 11”).

 

“It has been a pleasure having Dillon as part of our track team these last years,” said Head Coach Paul Schmidt. “He has worked extremely hard to get to where he is. All coaching credit goes to Josh Ihrke, who did a phenomenal job preparing Dillon physically and mentally to believe that he was capable of making the throws he did this year.” 

 

Radunz displayed toughness, competitiveness and team pride in his four years of participation in track and field, basketball and football.

 

Becker senior Hannah Schmidt placed 14th Saturday  in the girls Class AA state meet in St. Paul.

 

This year was Schmidt's sixth appearance in a state meet between gymnastics and track & field.  In 2014, Schmidt participated in both the high jump and pole vault and last year participated in high jump.

 

Earlier this year during the regular season, Schmidt cleared 10' 6", which won a Granite Ridge Conference title and put her #2 on the all-time list for Becker pole vaulting.

Schmidt has had a stellar career in Becker and her work ethic, positive attitude and great sportsmanship will be missed on both her sports teams.