Competing at Eleva Strum and Gilman this past week, the Orioles took home many victories—and a few records as well. Coach Bob Seidl shared more after results were in.
“We got off to a great start at Eleva,” Seidl said. “The weather cooperated, and the kids performed well, winning both the girls and boys titles. The boys 4 x 100 of Jake LaGrander, Madden Mahr, Carson Hodowanic and Cole Brenner set a new school record in the 400-meter relay (43.9). That record stood for 16 years. They are focused on lowering that time even more to be competitive in the tournaments.”
Going on to note several first-place finishes for the boys team, Seidl said that Lucas Walker won the 800 and 1600 meter runs, while Aydden Marten won the 110 meter high hurdles as well as the 300 meter hurdles. Landon Hoel won the pole vault with a personal record of 11’ 0”.
“We’ll face tougher competition down the road, but it was a great start to our outdoor season,” he said.
As to the girls performance at Eleva Strum, they also had a good day.
“The girls team also had a great day,” Seidl said. “Beth Pilgrim won the 400 meter dash (1:03.91) and the high jump (4’8”). Elena Trevino won the 1600-meter run (6:19.17) and Lula Chwala and Macie La Grander finished 1st and 2nd in the triple jump (31’2” & 30’9.25”). In addition, the team of Ady Gustafson, Chwala, Macie La Grander, and Beth Pilgrim won the 4 x 200 with a time of 1:55.31. They think they can set a school record in the 800 relay by the end of the season. Considering we had a number of kids absent for other field trips, I believe it was a good day.”
Moving from Eleva Strum to Gilman, Seidl said the team had kept up pace.
“At Gilman the kids kept the momentum,” he said. “The boys sprinters once again finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in both the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. Madden Mahr dropped down to an 11.05 in the 100-meter dash and 22.39 in the 200. He is one of the top sprinters in the State in DII.”
“With that kind of sprint speed, the boys were able to break another school record in the 4x200 with a time of 1:32.36,” Seidl said. “The old record lasted 17 years.”
In addition, Lucas Walker won both the 800- and 1600-meter runs but has tough competition coming at Bloomer.
“He has some tough competition from Bloomer coming up in the distance events, but he clearly has improved from last year and is a key to our team’s success,” Seidl said.
Returning to Mahr’s performance, Coach Seidl made note of a personal record.
“Madden Mahr had a personal record of 21’ 2 1/2 inches in the long jump,” Seidl said. “He is inches away from a record that has stood for over 50 years.”
Calling it a great week overall, Seidl noted Lula Chwala jumping 31`’7 1/2 to capture first in the triple jump, while Bethany Pilgrim won the 400-meter dash with a personal record of 1:03.66.
“She is building on a good season last year,” he said. “Improving only a few more seconds will increase her odds for state by the end of the season.”
Closing out the recap to note the girls team had finished second in the 800 meter relay with a time of 1:53.41, Seidl said the team consisting of Gustafson, Chwala, LaGrander, and Pilgrim loved the event and were working on a record of their own.
“They love the 4 x 200 and want to make a school record a reality,” he said. Final coaches’ assessment?
“For our first week we performed well,” he said. “We want to have a lot of improvements at our home meet next Friday. Our coaching staff has set that as a goal.”
