The 2026 Oriole Track and Field season is concluded. Competing Friday, June 5 at La Crosse, Lula Chwala placed fifteenth in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 47.60. Macie LaGrander competed Saturday, June 6 and placed tenth in the long jump with a distance mark of 17-00.75.
Orioles varsity head track coach Robert Seidl shared more after results.
“Our senior girls ended their track season by competing at the state meet, he said. “Both girls qualified for the state meet at Sectionals but were unable to peak at the State Meet at LaCrosse, which is exactly what they needed to do. Lula ran a good race at state but needed to best her personal record in the trials at state to qualify for Saturday’s finals in the 300 meter hurdles. She ran well all season but only had really tough competition at sections, where she ran her best. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to improve or repeat on her time to qualify for the final race. She finished as one of the top 16 hurdlers at state, which in itself is a big accomplishment. Her coach Joan Verbeten was able to get her to state and both of them should be proud of all the hard work they put into it. Lula will attend CVTC next fall. “
“Macie jumped good enough to qualify for the finals and was ready to make her final jump on Friday night, when lightning stopped the meet. It stormed pretty hard after the delay and Macie had to jump on Saturday morning to complete her attempts. None of the girls jumping Saturday morning improved on their distance. Macie needed to improve by 6 inches on that final jump to get on the podium. It was hard for the girls to peak after returning after the delay. We knew she was capable because she jumped 17’71/2” at regionals. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. Braxton Thompson coached Macie to state two years in a row. As a coach, all we can do is put them in a position to peak at the big meet. But it doesn’t always go that way. Macie will have more opportunities next year at U.W. Eau Claire, where she will jump for the Bluegolds.”