LAWRENCE, Kan. - Monroe senior Ethan Moehn doesn't mind running from behind down the home stretch.
Moehn made a big push over the final 800 meters to finish third in the 3,200-meter run at the 87th annual Kansas Relays Friday. Moehn, a University of Arkansas track recruit, went from eighth place to third over the final 800. He took third in the 3,200 with a time of 9 minutes, 10.08 seconds.
Monroe boys track coach Curt Miller saw the Kansas Relays as an opportunity for nine track athletes who made the trip for the Cheesemakers.
"This is a meet to simulate the state meet with a few thousand people watching," Miller said. "It's a tune-up for some kids who might have a chance to compete at La Crosse (at state)."
Miller wasn't surprised with Moehn's ability to close out a long distance race.
"He (Moehn) made a very strong push in the end and ran people down," Miller said of the 2012 state champion and former record holder in the 800. "There are not too many people who have the kick like Ethan. Most of the two-milers are not at Ethan's level in the 800."
In addition to Moehn, the Cheesemakers received many other strong performances the second day of the Kansas Relays. Monroe senior Jake Hirsbrunner, a University of Wisconsin-Madison recruit, finished fifth in the high jump clearing 6 feet, 6 inches on his second jump. He made a few attempts at 6-8, but couldn't match his lifetime best from earlier this season.
"This is an outstanding caliber and elite meet," Miller said. "He didn't jump his best. Any time you can take on this level of competition and get fifth, he jumped very well. We are all excited to see Jake perform at a high level at this meet."
Monroe senior Tre Voegeli cleared 9 feet, 10 inches in the pole vault to take 18th place out of 36 vaulters.
"They were vaulting into a head wind and it was very challenging for her," Miller said.
Monroe junior Seth Calaway, a state qualifier in the 100 last year, finished the 100 with a time of 11.53 seconds. Calaway teamed with Blake Bast, Dakota Phillips and Forrest Klug-Hanson in the 400 relay, but had a bad relay exchange and finished, but not as one of the top times they had going early in the race.
"The 400 relay is always a wild card with exchanges early in the season," Miller said. "One handoff can change the whole race and unfortunately we just missed one."
The Cheesemakers will have two individuals and two relays competing today at the Kansas Relays. Monroe senior Noah Tostrud will run the 1,600 and freshman Jordan Hirsbrunner will compete in the girls high jump. The Monroe boys' 3,200 relay team of Moehn, Hirsbrunner, Tostrud and Cody Faust will run as will the Cheesemakers' 800 relay of Calaway, Bast, Phillips and Hanson.
Miller said hopefully the same quarter that ran the 400 relay can come back strong in the 800 relay.
Moehn made a big push over the final 800 meters to finish third in the 3,200-meter run at the 87th annual Kansas Relays Friday. Moehn, a University of Arkansas track recruit, went from eighth place to third over the final 800. He took third in the 3,200 with a time of 9 minutes, 10.08 seconds.
Monroe boys track coach Curt Miller saw the Kansas Relays as an opportunity for nine track athletes who made the trip for the Cheesemakers.
"This is a meet to simulate the state meet with a few thousand people watching," Miller said. "It's a tune-up for some kids who might have a chance to compete at La Crosse (at state)."
Miller wasn't surprised with Moehn's ability to close out a long distance race.
"He (Moehn) made a very strong push in the end and ran people down," Miller said of the 2012 state champion and former record holder in the 800. "There are not too many people who have the kick like Ethan. Most of the two-milers are not at Ethan's level in the 800."
In addition to Moehn, the Cheesemakers received many other strong performances the second day of the Kansas Relays. Monroe senior Jake Hirsbrunner, a University of Wisconsin-Madison recruit, finished fifth in the high jump clearing 6 feet, 6 inches on his second jump. He made a few attempts at 6-8, but couldn't match his lifetime best from earlier this season.
"This is an outstanding caliber and elite meet," Miller said. "He didn't jump his best. Any time you can take on this level of competition and get fifth, he jumped very well. We are all excited to see Jake perform at a high level at this meet."
Monroe senior Tre Voegeli cleared 9 feet, 10 inches in the pole vault to take 18th place out of 36 vaulters.
"They were vaulting into a head wind and it was very challenging for her," Miller said.
Monroe junior Seth Calaway, a state qualifier in the 100 last year, finished the 100 with a time of 11.53 seconds. Calaway teamed with Blake Bast, Dakota Phillips and Forrest Klug-Hanson in the 400 relay, but had a bad relay exchange and finished, but not as one of the top times they had going early in the race.
"The 400 relay is always a wild card with exchanges early in the season," Miller said. "One handoff can change the whole race and unfortunately we just missed one."
The Cheesemakers will have two individuals and two relays competing today at the Kansas Relays. Monroe senior Noah Tostrud will run the 1,600 and freshman Jordan Hirsbrunner will compete in the girls high jump. The Monroe boys' 3,200 relay team of Moehn, Hirsbrunner, Tostrud and Cody Faust will run as will the Cheesemakers' 800 relay of Calaway, Bast, Phillips and Hanson.
Miller said hopefully the same quarter that ran the 400 relay can come back strong in the 800 relay.
