The Cardinal girls track team won the biggest meet of the season so far when they claimed the 17A Subsection championship Tuesday May 22, outscoring second place Maple Lake by 30.5 points.
"The team has had a few heartbreaking results over the past few weeks but what should not be lost in those setbacks is the level to which they raised the level of competition and the performances our athletes turned in," said coach Bo Wilke.
Recently, the Cardinals narrowly missed winning the Wright County Conference championship and qualifying for the state true team meet by a half-point both times.
"I like where we are and I think our experiences this season can only benefit us as we look ahead at the section meet May 30," Wilke said, adding that the girls had a great showing at the subsection meet and will bring 20 athletes to compete in 17 events at the section 5A meet.
"Usually at this point of the season we narrow our focus and can eliminate some of the events," Wilke said. "This year that will not be the case."
Success at the section meet would mean advancing a number of girls to the state meet Friday and Saturday, June 8-9. Katie Gruys, who has led the Cardinals in throwing events all season, is a favorite to move on to the state meet. She again had great subsection performances in the shot put and discus events. Gruys, who will be attending Division I Oregon next year set season best performances in both events, which also moved her into the ranks of the top four throwers in the state this season.
Senior Brooke Aeikens continues an amazing season as well, advancing to the section meet individually in all four of her events with first place finishes. Aeikens will advance in the 100 meter dash, the 4×100 relay, the long jump and the triple jump.
Calisha Norgren advanced in three events: the 100 meter dash, 4×100 relay and the long jump.
Also advancing in multiple events include: Jenna Loch, 4×100 and 4×200 relays; Madison Kasper, 4×200 and 300 hurdles; Elizabeth Schlafke, 4×800 relay and 3,200 meter run; Taylor Alama, 4×800 relay and 1,600 meter run; Courtney Alama in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter run events; Katie Provo, 4×100 and 4×200 relays; and Kelly Mendel, pole vault and 100 hurdles.
Advancing to sections in single events include: Kara Widmark, shot put; Kellie Kastner, high jump; McKenna Ekholm, 100 hurdles; Shanna Grambart, 4×800; Angela Orr, discus; Emmy Whitesell, 400 meter; Maranna Gunnerson, 200; Lisa Newman, discus; Ally Johnson, shot put; and Emma Atkinson, 4×800.
Athletes needed to place in the top four for individual events or in the top two for relays to qualify for sections. Up next for the Cardinals will be the Section 5A Track and Field Championships at St. John’s University, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 30.