The MSHSL state track meet was extremely successful for the Bulldog girls track team, with state medals won and a pair of school records shattered in the process.

“Our girls did an outstanding job capping off our season with several season best times and two new school records,” Coach Trish Reimer-Kealy said.

In Friday’s prelim rounds, the 4x100 meter relay team of Josie Reckelberg, Kylee Morton, Raelee Lyon and Salayna Allen ran for a new school record in a time of 50.70. 

“This was the third time they have broken this record this season,” Reimer-Kealy commented.

Junior Kailey Thompson ran personal records in both of her events, the 100 and 300 hurdles.

In both races, she placed 10th, just missing the cut for the finals (the top nine make it).

“We are excited to report that she broke into the 15’s for the first time with her PR time of 15.86,” Reimer-Kealy said.  “In the 300 hurdles she also placed 10th, missing out on a berth in the finals by 3/100ths of a second.”

The finals of the state meet were Saturday, as the Bulldogs started off with the 4x800 relay and despite being seeded 16th of the 20 teams competing, they earned medals for a seventh place finish.

Katelyn Brower started the race off and handed off to Andie Changamire, who then passed the baton to Alea Briggs before Lexi Rose finished off the event.

“Our girls were determined and with two of our runners having had previous experience at the state meet, they were not intimidated,” said the coach, who noted that the team ran in the first heat.  “Our girls ran their season best time by dropping four seconds from our section time to finish in 9:39.97, and each of our team members cut their split times down and competed very well.”

Their time for this relay puts this team in the second spot in Becker’s all time honor roll list.

Next, seventh grade shot putter Ella Tschida had her first experience at the state meet and she didn’t disappoint. 

“We are so proud of her efforts and her mark of 34’3.5” was one of her best marks of the year,” said her coach.  “She has gained valuable experience for next year.”

Senior Pole Vaulter Lauren Woelfel returned to the state meet after placing fourth a year ago.

“We are excited to report that she moved up a spot this year to place third with a new school record,” Reimer-Kealy said.  “Her vault of 11’6” betters the mark she set last year and she completed an outstanding HS sports career for Becker.”

Woelfel was a top Bulldog performer in every season, making the state competitions in diving, gymnastics, and track and field.

Both the 4x800 team and Woelfel earned All State honors for their performances.

“We are so excited for the whole team,” Reimer-Kealy explained after the meet.  “We took 11 girls to the state meet and that is the most in once season since I have been here and we moved out of the smaller class.”