MONROE - The inaugural Richard Glendenning Green/Lafayette County Invitational was a chance to honor a long-time Monroe track coach as well as to compete.
Glendenning, who serves as a pole vault coach, is in his 46th year in the Monroe track program and he has coached track for a total of 49 years. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in February.
Monroe track coach Curt Miller, athletic director Dave Hirsbrunner and assistant coach Howie Jubek came up with the idea to have a track meet in his name that features Green and Lafayette county schools.
"He (Glendenning) has been a mentor to everyone of us," Miller said. "This is the least we could do for all of his years of service."
The Darlington boys and girls each won team titles Thursday. The Redbird boys edged Sugar River 127-118 for the team title. Monroe divided its team into two teams and Monroe White finished third (113) and Monroe Red took fourth (92). The Darlington girls outdistanced the Monroe Red team, which included freshman and seniors 171-136 for the team championship. Sugar River took third (130) and Monroe White comprised of sophomores and juniors finished fourth (55). There were several eye-popping performances.
"What this meet is for is to get a chance to compete against some of the top athletes from the area that we don't get a chance to see because they are from smaller schools," Miller said.
Monroe senior Nick Walker threw a career best 52 feet, 5 inches to win the shot put and a career best 153-8 to take first in the discus. Fellow senior Michael Kohn took second in the shot put (45-11 1/4) and second in the discus (140-5).
"It felt great to have my best throw," Walker said. "I always want to do my best no matter if the meet is big or small. If I don't do my best, I walk away disappointed."
Walker, who qualified for state in the shot put last year, senses there is a difference this year.
"I'm more consistent," Walker said. "Last year I started out strong and then I declined. I feel like I am staying consistent and peak at the right time at conference and the regional, I can get back to the sectional and state."
Monticello senior Reid Zanoya had an amazing meet, winning three individual events including the 100 (:11.46), the 200 (:23.10) and 400 (:51.0). Pecatonica-Argyle senior Lucas Stoehr finished second to Zanoya in both the 200 (:23.59) and 400 (:52.49). Monroe junior Ethan Schuttler took second in the 100 (:11.84).
"Just looking at the times on the Internet, I knew I could compete with anybody," Zanoya said. "I didn't know what to expect from Monroe. It means a lot because we are going against schools in bigger divisions."
The Cheesemakers' 3,200 relay team of junior Matt Bush, junior Joel Henry, freshman Ethan Moehn and senior Dylan Starck took first with a time of 8 minutes, 30 seconds, which was about six seconds ahead of Sugar River. Bush, Starck and Moehn teamed up with junior Skyler Stingley to win the 1,600 relay with a time of 3:37.24, which was about four seconds ahead of Darlington.
Starck said the Cheesemakers were not looking to make a statement in the 3,200 relay.
"This is just a fun meet," Starck said. "We just are out here looking for a workout like we always do. Glendenning deserves to have a meet named after him."
Black Hawk's Jacob Meier finished first in the triple jump (38-4 1/2) and first in the long jump (20-10 3/4). Monroe freshman Jake Hirsbrunner was third (38-2). Black Hawk coach Cory Milz said it was a great idea to have the meet that features schools from Green and Lafayette counties in Glendenning's honor.
"I have known Glendenning for a long time and he has just been great for track in our area," Milz said. "It's just too bad the weather didn't cooperate."
Sugar River senior Dennis Haak finished first in the 1,600 (4:44.99) coming from behind to overtake Monroe junior Luke Peterson. Peterson finished second (4:47.39) and Darlington junior Kent Miehe was third (4:51.5). Haak also won the 800 2:04.05), which was a little more than five seconds ahead of Darlington senior Connor Roche (2:09.93).
"Coming around after the third lap, I was really doubting myself," Haak said. "I didn't think I had anything left. The wind really helped on the back stretch. I knew it would be tough. This is just what I expected."
Sugar River sophomore Ryan McCoy won the 3,200 with a time of 9:59.23 ahead of Darlington freshman Tyson Miehe (10:08.5) and Albany senior Drew Mather who was third (10:31.8).
The Cheesemakers had two of the top three in the high jump. Monroe senior Michael Barrett cleared 6-4 to win the high jump.
Glendenning, who serves as a pole vault coach, is in his 46th year in the Monroe track program and he has coached track for a total of 49 years. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in February.
Monroe track coach Curt Miller, athletic director Dave Hirsbrunner and assistant coach Howie Jubek came up with the idea to have a track meet in his name that features Green and Lafayette county schools.
"He (Glendenning) has been a mentor to everyone of us," Miller said. "This is the least we could do for all of his years of service."
The Darlington boys and girls each won team titles Thursday. The Redbird boys edged Sugar River 127-118 for the team title. Monroe divided its team into two teams and Monroe White finished third (113) and Monroe Red took fourth (92). The Darlington girls outdistanced the Monroe Red team, which included freshman and seniors 171-136 for the team championship. Sugar River took third (130) and Monroe White comprised of sophomores and juniors finished fourth (55). There were several eye-popping performances.
"What this meet is for is to get a chance to compete against some of the top athletes from the area that we don't get a chance to see because they are from smaller schools," Miller said.
Monroe senior Nick Walker threw a career best 52 feet, 5 inches to win the shot put and a career best 153-8 to take first in the discus. Fellow senior Michael Kohn took second in the shot put (45-11 1/4) and second in the discus (140-5).
"It felt great to have my best throw," Walker said. "I always want to do my best no matter if the meet is big or small. If I don't do my best, I walk away disappointed."
Walker, who qualified for state in the shot put last year, senses there is a difference this year.
"I'm more consistent," Walker said. "Last year I started out strong and then I declined. I feel like I am staying consistent and peak at the right time at conference and the regional, I can get back to the sectional and state."
Monticello senior Reid Zanoya had an amazing meet, winning three individual events including the 100 (:11.46), the 200 (:23.10) and 400 (:51.0). Pecatonica-Argyle senior Lucas Stoehr finished second to Zanoya in both the 200 (:23.59) and 400 (:52.49). Monroe junior Ethan Schuttler took second in the 100 (:11.84).
"Just looking at the times on the Internet, I knew I could compete with anybody," Zanoya said. "I didn't know what to expect from Monroe. It means a lot because we are going against schools in bigger divisions."
The Cheesemakers' 3,200 relay team of junior Matt Bush, junior Joel Henry, freshman Ethan Moehn and senior Dylan Starck took first with a time of 8 minutes, 30 seconds, which was about six seconds ahead of Sugar River. Bush, Starck and Moehn teamed up with junior Skyler Stingley to win the 1,600 relay with a time of 3:37.24, which was about four seconds ahead of Darlington.
Starck said the Cheesemakers were not looking to make a statement in the 3,200 relay.
"This is just a fun meet," Starck said. "We just are out here looking for a workout like we always do. Glendenning deserves to have a meet named after him."
Black Hawk's Jacob Meier finished first in the triple jump (38-4 1/2) and first in the long jump (20-10 3/4). Monroe freshman Jake Hirsbrunner was third (38-2). Black Hawk coach Cory Milz said it was a great idea to have the meet that features schools from Green and Lafayette counties in Glendenning's honor.
"I have known Glendenning for a long time and he has just been great for track in our area," Milz said. "It's just too bad the weather didn't cooperate."
Sugar River senior Dennis Haak finished first in the 1,600 (4:44.99) coming from behind to overtake Monroe junior Luke Peterson. Peterson finished second (4:47.39) and Darlington junior Kent Miehe was third (4:51.5). Haak also won the 800 2:04.05), which was a little more than five seconds ahead of Darlington senior Connor Roche (2:09.93).
"Coming around after the third lap, I was really doubting myself," Haak said. "I didn't think I had anything left. The wind really helped on the back stretch. I knew it would be tough. This is just what I expected."
Sugar River sophomore Ryan McCoy won the 3,200 with a time of 9:59.23 ahead of Darlington freshman Tyson Miehe (10:08.5) and Albany senior Drew Mather who was third (10:31.8).
The Cheesemakers had two of the top three in the high jump. Monroe senior Michael Barrett cleared 6-4 to win the high jump.
Sugar River senior Kirbe French took second (6-0) and Hirsbrunner was third (5-10). Monroe senior Caleb Ahrens took first in the 110 hurdles (:16.17), which was just ahead of Sugar River's Jon Beckman (:16.30). Sugar River's Kalvin Johnson won the 300 intermediate hurdles (:45.67) and Ahrens was second (:46.38).
Darlington junior Levi Wedig finished first in the pole vault (11-6) and the Redbirds won the 400 and 800 relays.
Monroe senior Jaclyn Ditter won the 100 hurdles with a time of 15.70 seconds. Ditter, who is the school record holder in the 100 hurdles, ran the race for the first time this season.
"The wind really helped," Ditter said. "It was nice to get a good race under my belt."
Sugar River junior Victoria Ortgiesen won the 300 hurdles (:49.42) and took second in the 100 hurdles (:17.55). Black Hawk senior Rachel Rygh won the 100 with a time of 13.14 seconds, which was just ahead of Monroe freshman Lauren Werth (:13.34). Werth won the 200 (:27.49) and teamed with Ditter, senior Rachel Rogerson and senior Brenna Bazley to take first (1:53.21) in the 400 relay, which was about three seconds ahead of Darlington.
Rygh, who was a state qualifier in the 100, 200 and on the 1,600 relay team last year, is finding a groove after finishing out her basketball career at state for the third straight year.
"I'm just starting to get my legs back," Rygh said. "I'm starting to drop my times a little bit. At a meet like this, it's good to get some good competition. Every meet we have there is good competition."
Darlington sophomore Cassidy Chambers and Sugar River's Ashley Brusveen both cleared 5-0, but Chambers won on a tiebreaker. Monroe freshman Taylor Barrett took third (4-10). The Redbirds' 3,200 relay team of Amy Jorgenson, Tatum Evenstad, Cheyenne Wolfe and Claire Cullen finished first with a time of 10:41.81. The Redbirds also won the 400 relay team including Taryn Evenstad, Elizabeth Mathias, Chambers and Carly Reilly (:55.13) just ahead of the Monroe White team of Jess Jackson, Maria Pecora, Molly Hlubek and Maria Eberle (:55.91).
Darlington coach Todd Bastian said under the conditions, the 3,200 relay team ran well.
"It's just the experience," Bastain said when describing what he wanted his team to get from the invite. "We were excited about coming here."
The Redbirds had two of the top three in the 3,200. Wolfe won the race with a time of 12:53.33. Darlington junior Hannah Robiolio finished second (13:02.02) and Monroe sophomore Abby Rogerson took third (13:05.85). Darlington senior Chelsea Fortin finished first in the pole vault (8-0), Eberle was second (7-6) and Monroe senior Corinne Frutiger was third (7-6).
Pecatonica-Argyle junior Kendra Sigg won the 1,600 with a time of 5:49.42. Albany freshman Bailey Hlavachek won the 800 (2:35.17) and Sigg was second (2:46.10). Monticello sophomore Katie Nelson was second (6:09.81). Monroe freshman Nicole Witt took third (6:13.10). Darlington sophomore Claire Scott took first in the 400 (1:06.79), which was about three seconds ahead of Sugar River sophomore Emily Diaz (1:09.05). Monroe senior Cheyenne Foster finished third (1:09.91).
Sugar River sophomore Madeline Brunner took first in the long jump (16-5) and Darlington junior Hannah Huffman was second (15-11 1/2). Darlington senior Chayse Hermanson added a second place in the triple jump (29-5 1/2) and Scott was third (28-5 1/2). Monroe senior Jessica Leu took second in the shot put (33-10 1/2). Sugar River senior Jessica Putland added a second place in the discus (101-7).
Darlington junior Levi Wedig finished first in the pole vault (11-6) and the Redbirds won the 400 and 800 relays.
Monroe senior Jaclyn Ditter won the 100 hurdles with a time of 15.70 seconds. Ditter, who is the school record holder in the 100 hurdles, ran the race for the first time this season.
"The wind really helped," Ditter said. "It was nice to get a good race under my belt."
Sugar River junior Victoria Ortgiesen won the 300 hurdles (:49.42) and took second in the 100 hurdles (:17.55). Black Hawk senior Rachel Rygh won the 100 with a time of 13.14 seconds, which was just ahead of Monroe freshman Lauren Werth (:13.34). Werth won the 200 (:27.49) and teamed with Ditter, senior Rachel Rogerson and senior Brenna Bazley to take first (1:53.21) in the 400 relay, which was about three seconds ahead of Darlington.
Rygh, who was a state qualifier in the 100, 200 and on the 1,600 relay team last year, is finding a groove after finishing out her basketball career at state for the third straight year.
"I'm just starting to get my legs back," Rygh said. "I'm starting to drop my times a little bit. At a meet like this, it's good to get some good competition. Every meet we have there is good competition."
Darlington sophomore Cassidy Chambers and Sugar River's Ashley Brusveen both cleared 5-0, but Chambers won on a tiebreaker. Monroe freshman Taylor Barrett took third (4-10). The Redbirds' 3,200 relay team of Amy Jorgenson, Tatum Evenstad, Cheyenne Wolfe and Claire Cullen finished first with a time of 10:41.81. The Redbirds also won the 400 relay team including Taryn Evenstad, Elizabeth Mathias, Chambers and Carly Reilly (:55.13) just ahead of the Monroe White team of Jess Jackson, Maria Pecora, Molly Hlubek and Maria Eberle (:55.91).
Darlington coach Todd Bastian said under the conditions, the 3,200 relay team ran well.
"It's just the experience," Bastain said when describing what he wanted his team to get from the invite. "We were excited about coming here."
The Redbirds had two of the top three in the 3,200. Wolfe won the race with a time of 12:53.33. Darlington junior Hannah Robiolio finished second (13:02.02) and Monroe sophomore Abby Rogerson took third (13:05.85). Darlington senior Chelsea Fortin finished first in the pole vault (8-0), Eberle was second (7-6) and Monroe senior Corinne Frutiger was third (7-6).
Pecatonica-Argyle junior Kendra Sigg won the 1,600 with a time of 5:49.42. Albany freshman Bailey Hlavachek won the 800 (2:35.17) and Sigg was second (2:46.10). Monticello sophomore Katie Nelson was second (6:09.81). Monroe freshman Nicole Witt took third (6:13.10). Darlington sophomore Claire Scott took first in the 400 (1:06.79), which was about three seconds ahead of Sugar River sophomore Emily Diaz (1:09.05). Monroe senior Cheyenne Foster finished third (1:09.91).
Sugar River sophomore Madeline Brunner took first in the long jump (16-5) and Darlington junior Hannah Huffman was second (15-11 1/2). Darlington senior Chayse Hermanson added a second place in the triple jump (29-5 1/2) and Scott was third (28-5 1/2). Monroe senior Jessica Leu took second in the shot put (33-10 1/2). Sugar River senior Jessica Putland added a second place in the discus (101-7).
