MONROE - When it comes to projecting point totals and a team champion at the WIAA Division 2 state meet, Monroe High School girls track and field coach Matt Davis prefers to wear blinders.
"The state meet is extremely unpredictable," Davis said. "I don't want to jinx anything. Right now our goal is to make the finals in everything. If we do that our next goal is to as good as we can in the finals. If we make the finals, the rest is just icing on the cake."
With seven entries, Monroe is qualified in the third most events at state. East Troy has the most events (10) followed by Freedom and Marinette with eight each. The Cheesemakers could be in line for a top-three finish. The Cheesemakers have six of their seven entries seeded in the top six. The top six finishers at state earn medals and the top eight score points.
Monroe senior Jordan Hirsbrunner is seeded first in the 100-meter hurdles, first in the 300 hurdles and second in the high jump (5 feet, 4 inches). The Cheesemakers' 400 relay team is seeded third (50.15) and the 1,600 relay team is seeded sixth. Sophomore Cammi Ganshert is seeded sixth in the 100 (12.65).
"I think if things go as planned like we hope they go, we could be in the top three," Davis said. "Last year we finished eighth. This year we want to finish higher. We would all like to win it. Everyone in the back of their minds knows we have a chance. We haven't really talked about it. We just want to go out and run our race."
Jefferson won the 2016 Division 2 team title with 44 points, and Wisconsin Lutheran was second with 42. Monroe scored 23 points.
Wittenberg-Birnamwood is the defending champion in the 1,600 relay, returning with the second-fastest seed time of 4 minutes, 2.25. The Cheesemakers' top time in the 1,600 relay this year is 4:04.01.
The Cheesemakers' 400 relay team ran the program's fourth fastest time at the McFarland sectional last week (50.15). Davis said if they get their hand-offs down, the Cheesemakers could improve on that time and challenge the school-record time set last year.
According to the National Weather Service, the forecast calls for a high of 80 degrees Friday and a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms in La Crosse. On Saturday, the forecast is a high of 77 degrees and a 70 percent chance of rain.
"People will run some great times," Davis said of the state meet. "The weather and temperature looks good for running."
The Cheesemakers have four seniors on their state-qualifying crew, Josie Eberle, Casey Rielly, Hirsbrunner and Lexus Trickel. The other Monroe athletes at state are Ganshert, junior Rachel Meier, junior Sydney Mathiason and freshman Cassi Gersbach.
"We are relying on our seniors," Davis said. "It's a great way for them to go out. It's more special to have your teammates share in it. To have that support to really talk through your races will help. Just getting to the state meet is an award."
"The state meet is extremely unpredictable," Davis said. "I don't want to jinx anything. Right now our goal is to make the finals in everything. If we do that our next goal is to as good as we can in the finals. If we make the finals, the rest is just icing on the cake."
With seven entries, Monroe is qualified in the third most events at state. East Troy has the most events (10) followed by Freedom and Marinette with eight each. The Cheesemakers could be in line for a top-three finish. The Cheesemakers have six of their seven entries seeded in the top six. The top six finishers at state earn medals and the top eight score points.
Monroe senior Jordan Hirsbrunner is seeded first in the 100-meter hurdles, first in the 300 hurdles and second in the high jump (5 feet, 4 inches). The Cheesemakers' 400 relay team is seeded third (50.15) and the 1,600 relay team is seeded sixth. Sophomore Cammi Ganshert is seeded sixth in the 100 (12.65).
"I think if things go as planned like we hope they go, we could be in the top three," Davis said. "Last year we finished eighth. This year we want to finish higher. We would all like to win it. Everyone in the back of their minds knows we have a chance. We haven't really talked about it. We just want to go out and run our race."
Jefferson won the 2016 Division 2 team title with 44 points, and Wisconsin Lutheran was second with 42. Monroe scored 23 points.
Wittenberg-Birnamwood is the defending champion in the 1,600 relay, returning with the second-fastest seed time of 4 minutes, 2.25. The Cheesemakers' top time in the 1,600 relay this year is 4:04.01.
The Cheesemakers' 400 relay team ran the program's fourth fastest time at the McFarland sectional last week (50.15). Davis said if they get their hand-offs down, the Cheesemakers could improve on that time and challenge the school-record time set last year.
According to the National Weather Service, the forecast calls for a high of 80 degrees Friday and a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms in La Crosse. On Saturday, the forecast is a high of 77 degrees and a 70 percent chance of rain.
"People will run some great times," Davis said of the state meet. "The weather and temperature looks good for running."
The Cheesemakers have four seniors on their state-qualifying crew, Josie Eberle, Casey Rielly, Hirsbrunner and Lexus Trickel. The other Monroe athletes at state are Ganshert, junior Rachel Meier, junior Sydney Mathiason and freshman Cassi Gersbach.
"We are relying on our seniors," Davis said. "It's a great way for them to go out. It's more special to have your teammates share in it. To have that support to really talk through your races will help. Just getting to the state meet is an award."
