Tegels uses strength to take eighth at State

In just his first year of track, Cadott senior Gavin Tegels qualified for the State shot put June 4, in Division 3. Tegels didn’t quite make podium, coming up with an eighth place finish. Photo by Matt Frey

By Ginna Young

His first – and only – season on the Cadott track team, is one for the books, as senior Gavin Tegels came in second at Sectionals in the shot put event, making him eligible for State competition June 4.

“This being his one and only year, he really worked very hard to pick up and improve on many technical aspects of track,” said coach Pat Rothbauer.

At the large venue at UW-La Crosse, Tegels was among the best in the state for Division 3 athletes. Although the day didn’t end with a podium finish as Tegels and his coaching staff hoped, Tegels still brought home an impressive eighth place finish.

“Many kids are very intimidated by the UW-La Crosse venue, but Gavin has wrestled in many very big pressure matches, so I don’t think he had any problems with nerves,” said Rothbauer. “It really was great having someone with Gavins’s championship mentality in the program.”

With a distance of 47-00, Tegels ended his high school sports career, in front of hundreds of onlookers, as the sole State competitor for the Hornets.

“He showed everyone that hard work pays off and he could be found in the weight room after practice nearly every night,” said Rothbauer. “He pushed the other throwers to work harder than they were accustomed to working, and he did it in a way that made them want to work and not be resentful.”

Now that the season is at an end, Rothbauer says he is grateful to all the coaches in the program, but sends a special shout-out to Tom Stephens for all his work, with not only Tegels, but all the throwers.

“It was great having him (Tegels) on the team this year, and we all wish him a great deal of success in the future,” said Rothbauer.