The Becker boys track team will again have a state tournament participant, as this year Tyson Ricker qualified for the big dance by placing second last Saturday in the Section 8AA finals track meet in the 1600 meter run.  The state meet will be held at St. Michael Albertville high school Sat., June 19.

“Tyson ran an incredible race and took over the second place spot with about 800 meters to go,” Head Coach Paul Schmidt said.  “His strategy was great as the other two runners that were with him were surprised at his early surge.”

Ricker ran a personal best time of  4:31.37 to qualify for the state finals.  

Schmidt said that Lukas Karel also competed in the 1600 last Saturday and finished strong for his career with a time of 4:53.51, while Carter Reckelberg finished up his fine season in the long jump where he leaped 17’8.75”.

Prelims

The preliminaries were held last Wednesday in Sartell, where the team battled blistering conditions.  Schmidt said he was happy, however, with the performance of his team.

“We did not see anyone moving on to the finals but there were some very good performances,” Schmidt said.  “Tyson Ricker finished eighth in the 3200 and it was an extremely hot day so it definitely took it out of the two milers.”

Owen Angell had a good day and came ever so close to making finals in the 300M intermediate hurdles with a 43.94 personal best time.  The eighth grader finished ninth, which in many years would see him move on, but this year the finals are being held at a facility that only had eight lanes.  Schmidt reported that Angell also pole vaulted well making 11’10”, but was unable to crack into the top eight.  

Carter Leither finished his season with two personal best times in the 200 (24.75) and the 400 (53.86).

Cade Stommes has his personal best Triple Jump with a leap of 36’3”,  while Luke Macdonald (100 and 200 sprints) and Michael Schmitz (hurdle events) finished their careers on high notes.

Awards

With many of the participants ready to scatter for the summer, Schmidt and the team held its award ceremony last Thursday and handed out letter winners as well as other awards and accomplishments from the season.  Following is a list of awards:

Most Improved: Carter Reckelberg; Most Dedicated: Cade Stommes and Tyson Ricker; Rookie of the Year: Owen Angell; Most Points (Most Valuable): Owen Angell; This years Captains: Cade Stommes, Michael Schmitz, Lukas Karel; Captains Next Year: Tyson Ricker, Caleb Reckelberg, Carter Leither, Mason Becker; All Conference: Owen Angell: Pole Vault and 300 Hurdles; Tyson Ricker: 1600 and 3200;  Lukas Karel: 1600; Honorable Mention All Conference: Lukas Karel 3200; Letter winners: Michael Schmitz, Cade Stommes, Lukas Karel, Luke MacDonald, Carter Leither, Tyson Ricker, Mason Becker, Ben Howe, Caleb Reckelberg, Owen Angell, Carter Reckelberg, and Alex Kinney.