PORTAGE - It came down to the final two events, but the Monroe boys track team turned in a sensational performance to win the inaugural Badger Challenge track meet.
The Cheesemakers had a half point lead on Waunakee heading into the last two events. Monroe's 1,600-meter relay team of Lucas Goetz, Godi Brandli, Caleb Ahrens and Dylan Starck took second. The 1,600 relay team's performance, in addition to sophomore Joel Henry taking fourth in the 3,200, sealed the title for the Cheesemakers.
The Cheesemakers' 1,600 relay team, which is ranked fifth in the state, finished in 3 minutes, 40 seconds, which was less than two seconds behind Baraboo.
"We put a ton of pressure on the guys at the very end," Monroe coach Dave Hirsbrunner said. "They knew what they had to do and they exceeded it. It's a big thrill for the guys. He (Starck) ran a smoking anchor leg."
The Cheesemakers edged Baraboo, 99.5-91 for the first Badger Challenge title and Waunakee was third (89). Monona Grove wasn't at the meet since the Silver Eagles already had a meet scheduled.
Henry smashed his personal best time in the 3,200 by 37 seconds as he finished with a time of 10 minutes, 20 seconds.
Ahrens finished first in the 110 high hurdles with a time of 16.5 seconds and junior Jeffrey Hill won the pole vault (13-0).
The Cheesemakers swept the top two spots in the shot put. Junior Nick Walker won the shot put (47-2 1/4) and Michael Reed was second (47-1 3/4). Reed won the discus (126-2) and Walker finished third (117-4).
The Monroe girls track team finished second just behind champion Waunakee, 100.5-97.75.
Monroe's Laura Chopp won the pole vault (9-0). The Cheesemakers' 400 relay team of Ty Gibson, Maria Eberle, Jaclyn Ditter and Jess Miller finished first with a time of 53.32 seconds.
Monroe senior Stephanie Wyss finished second in the 400 (1:02.65), in a second place tie in the high jump (4-10), third in the 200 (:28.45).
Fellow senior Tessa Frutiger took second in the 800 (2:32.66) and senior Tess Seichter was third (2:35.47). Seichter took fifth in the 1,600 (5:45.87).
Jessica Leu finished second in the shot put (33-3) and fifth in the discus (91-8).
The Cheesemakers finished third in the 3,200 relay. Brenna Bazley finished third in the long jump (14-6) and Eberle took fourth in the 200 (:29.05).
The Cheesemakers had a half point lead on Waunakee heading into the last two events. Monroe's 1,600-meter relay team of Lucas Goetz, Godi Brandli, Caleb Ahrens and Dylan Starck took second. The 1,600 relay team's performance, in addition to sophomore Joel Henry taking fourth in the 3,200, sealed the title for the Cheesemakers.
The Cheesemakers' 1,600 relay team, which is ranked fifth in the state, finished in 3 minutes, 40 seconds, which was less than two seconds behind Baraboo.
"We put a ton of pressure on the guys at the very end," Monroe coach Dave Hirsbrunner said. "They knew what they had to do and they exceeded it. It's a big thrill for the guys. He (Starck) ran a smoking anchor leg."
The Cheesemakers edged Baraboo, 99.5-91 for the first Badger Challenge title and Waunakee was third (89). Monona Grove wasn't at the meet since the Silver Eagles already had a meet scheduled.
Henry smashed his personal best time in the 3,200 by 37 seconds as he finished with a time of 10 minutes, 20 seconds.
Ahrens finished first in the 110 high hurdles with a time of 16.5 seconds and junior Jeffrey Hill won the pole vault (13-0).
The Cheesemakers swept the top two spots in the shot put. Junior Nick Walker won the shot put (47-2 1/4) and Michael Reed was second (47-1 3/4). Reed won the discus (126-2) and Walker finished third (117-4).
The Monroe girls track team finished second just behind champion Waunakee, 100.5-97.75.
Monroe's Laura Chopp won the pole vault (9-0). The Cheesemakers' 400 relay team of Ty Gibson, Maria Eberle, Jaclyn Ditter and Jess Miller finished first with a time of 53.32 seconds.
Monroe senior Stephanie Wyss finished second in the 400 (1:02.65), in a second place tie in the high jump (4-10), third in the 200 (:28.45).
Fellow senior Tessa Frutiger took second in the 800 (2:32.66) and senior Tess Seichter was third (2:35.47). Seichter took fifth in the 1,600 (5:45.87).
Jessica Leu finished second in the shot put (33-3) and fifth in the discus (91-8).
The Cheesemakers finished third in the 3,200 relay. Brenna Bazley finished third in the long jump (14-6) and Eberle took fourth in the 200 (:29.05).
