WHITEWATER - Monroe took 21 boys and girls to the Wisconsin TFA Indoor Championships at UW-Whitewater Saturday. The meet consists of some of the state's top teams and usually is held as a measuring stick for what to expect at the state meet in June.
"We took an ACT-depleted team to compete at the last and most competitive indoor meet of the season," assistant coach Brian Jefferson said. "This is considered the indoor state championship. There are no divisions; all athletes are competing against the best the state has to offer."
Stephanie Wyss had the highest finish for Monroe, placing fourth in the girl's high jump with a mark of 4-feet, 10-inches.
Laura Chopp placed 10th in the pole vault (9-feet) and Jaclyn Ditter was 11th in the 55-meter hurdles in the semifinals with a run of 9.38 seconds. Ditters top mark, a 9.25 earned her 15th-place honors in the same event in preliminaries.
Jessica Leu was 16th in the girls shot put, throwing for a mark of 32-5 1/2.
"Despite the size of our roster there were quite a few good performances," Jefferson said. "The distance crew perhaps had the best day with sophomore Joel Henry leading the way. Joel ran a career best by roughly 10 seconds in the 800-meter run (2 minutes, 9.11 seconds). Not far behind Joel was freshman Steve Christiansen (2:10.58). His time was also a personal record."
Michael Reed had the top place for the boys, finishing 19th in the shot put (48-2 3/4).
"There has not been a meet yet this season where Mike has not thrown 48 feet or farther. Normally a 48-foot throw will make the finals, but (Saturday) it took 51 feet or better. That speaks to the level of competition," Jefferson said. "Mike's consistency this season, however, suggests that a big throw is on the horizon. Once he tweaks a few things, that distance will increase."
Mack Brunker was 20th in the triple jump with a leap of 38-6 1/2.
"Mack had a nice jump in the triple jump. Once our conference duals start, it will be very important for Mack to continue improving upon that mark," Jefferson said.
Luke Peterson ran the 1,600 in 4 minutes, 53 seconds.
"These guys are all progressing nicely through the early parts of the season," Jefferson said.
Albany's T.J. Bump finished 26th in the 55-meter hurdles, rattling off a time of 8.9 seconds. Tyler Conley was 25th in the long jump (17-9 1/2) and 53rd in the 1,600 (4:52.47). Ciara Kubesh had the top girls spot for the Comets, coming in 52nd in the 800 with a time of 2:42.53.
Monroe has two meets this week, starting with a Badger Conference meet in Portage Tuesday, featuring schools from both the North and South. Thursday, Monroe travels to Brodhead to make up the twice-postponed dual between the two schools.
"We took an ACT-depleted team to compete at the last and most competitive indoor meet of the season," assistant coach Brian Jefferson said. "This is considered the indoor state championship. There are no divisions; all athletes are competing against the best the state has to offer."
Stephanie Wyss had the highest finish for Monroe, placing fourth in the girl's high jump with a mark of 4-feet, 10-inches.
Laura Chopp placed 10th in the pole vault (9-feet) and Jaclyn Ditter was 11th in the 55-meter hurdles in the semifinals with a run of 9.38 seconds. Ditters top mark, a 9.25 earned her 15th-place honors in the same event in preliminaries.
Jessica Leu was 16th in the girls shot put, throwing for a mark of 32-5 1/2.
"Despite the size of our roster there were quite a few good performances," Jefferson said. "The distance crew perhaps had the best day with sophomore Joel Henry leading the way. Joel ran a career best by roughly 10 seconds in the 800-meter run (2 minutes, 9.11 seconds). Not far behind Joel was freshman Steve Christiansen (2:10.58). His time was also a personal record."
Michael Reed had the top place for the boys, finishing 19th in the shot put (48-2 3/4).
"There has not been a meet yet this season where Mike has not thrown 48 feet or farther. Normally a 48-foot throw will make the finals, but (Saturday) it took 51 feet or better. That speaks to the level of competition," Jefferson said. "Mike's consistency this season, however, suggests that a big throw is on the horizon. Once he tweaks a few things, that distance will increase."
Mack Brunker was 20th in the triple jump with a leap of 38-6 1/2.
"Mack had a nice jump in the triple jump. Once our conference duals start, it will be very important for Mack to continue improving upon that mark," Jefferson said.
Luke Peterson ran the 1,600 in 4 minutes, 53 seconds.
"These guys are all progressing nicely through the early parts of the season," Jefferson said.
Albany's T.J. Bump finished 26th in the 55-meter hurdles, rattling off a time of 8.9 seconds. Tyler Conley was 25th in the long jump (17-9 1/2) and 53rd in the 1,600 (4:52.47). Ciara Kubesh had the top girls spot for the Comets, coming in 52nd in the 800 with a time of 2:42.53.
Monroe has two meets this week, starting with a Badger Conference meet in Portage Tuesday, featuring schools from both the North and South. Thursday, Monroe travels to Brodhead to make up the twice-postponed dual between the two schools.
