LA CROSSE - The Chicago Bulls were in the midst of a magical season winning an NBA record 72 games. Baseball owners unanimously approved interleague play and Bill Clinton was president the last time the Sugar River boys track team won a state championship.
New Glarus junior Ryan McCoy shook off the memory of a wobbly finish in the 1,600 meters to win a state title in the 3,200-meter run to help Sugar River clinch the WIAA Division 2 state track and field team championship Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. It's the first state title for Sugar River since 1996.
"Winning the state title was the highest goal we had," McCoy said. "We knew it would have to be perfect performances and we would be up there."
Dodgeville-Mineral Point had a four-point lead on the Raiders heading into the 3,200. Dodge-Point had Trevor Wunnicke (seeded fourth) and Brett Hottman (seeded fifth). McCoy built a lead on his sixth lap to finish the race with a time of 9 minutes, 23.62 seconds, which was well ahead of Madison Edgewood's Joe McKenna, who took second (9:27.79).
"I knew I had to separate myself over the last three laps because Joe (McKenna) and Michael Christianson have great kicks," he said. "I guess I had enough left so they weren't able to close."
Sugar River sophomore Garrison Woods put the Raiders in a good position taking second in the triple jump on Friday (45 feet, 5 3/4 inches). Sugar River's Jon Beckman took third in the 110 high hurdles (15.03) and McCoy teamed with Riley Miller, Josh Stern and Wesley Morgan to take fifth in the 3,200 relay. The Raiders had five individuals at state in six events and the 3,200 relay team. The Raiders scored in six of the seven events they competed in at state.
"We knew all along we had a shot," Sugar River coach Dan Schettler said. "When you have forces like Ryan McCoy, Wesley Morgan and Jon Beckman, you know you can make some noise and be in contention for a state title. I think as you get older and reflect, you enjoy the journey more."
Beckman closed out a standout final prep track meet with a bang.
"It's not what I wanted," Beckman said of third place in the 110 hurdles. "I came in seeded first. I hit the second or third hurdle and I didn't recover as well as I should have."
Beckman was still honored to walk away with a medal in his final track meet.
"The entire state experience has been phenomenal," he said.
New Glarus junior Ryan McCoy shook off the memory of a wobbly finish in the 1,600 meters to win a state title in the 3,200-meter run to help Sugar River clinch the WIAA Division 2 state track and field team championship Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. It's the first state title for Sugar River since 1996.
"Winning the state title was the highest goal we had," McCoy said. "We knew it would have to be perfect performances and we would be up there."
Dodgeville-Mineral Point had a four-point lead on the Raiders heading into the 3,200. Dodge-Point had Trevor Wunnicke (seeded fourth) and Brett Hottman (seeded fifth). McCoy built a lead on his sixth lap to finish the race with a time of 9 minutes, 23.62 seconds, which was well ahead of Madison Edgewood's Joe McKenna, who took second (9:27.79).
"I knew I had to separate myself over the last three laps because Joe (McKenna) and Michael Christianson have great kicks," he said. "I guess I had enough left so they weren't able to close."
Sugar River sophomore Garrison Woods put the Raiders in a good position taking second in the triple jump on Friday (45 feet, 5 3/4 inches). Sugar River's Jon Beckman took third in the 110 high hurdles (15.03) and McCoy teamed with Riley Miller, Josh Stern and Wesley Morgan to take fifth in the 3,200 relay. The Raiders had five individuals at state in six events and the 3,200 relay team. The Raiders scored in six of the seven events they competed in at state.
"We knew all along we had a shot," Sugar River coach Dan Schettler said. "When you have forces like Ryan McCoy, Wesley Morgan and Jon Beckman, you know you can make some noise and be in contention for a state title. I think as you get older and reflect, you enjoy the journey more."
Beckman closed out a standout final prep track meet with a bang.
"It's not what I wanted," Beckman said of third place in the 110 hurdles. "I came in seeded first. I hit the second or third hurdle and I didn't recover as well as I should have."
Beckman was still honored to walk away with a medal in his final track meet.
"The entire state experience has been phenomenal," he said.
