Nitek brings home two State titles for Knights

Cornell-Lake Holcombe junior Trent Nitek gave it all he had in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes June 3, which paid off with the State championship in each of the events. Photo by Matt Frey

By Ginna Young

Humid, hot weather? Lightning? Weather delays? No problem!

In just his first year of track, Cornell-Lake Holcombe’s runner Trent Nitek came home with some hardware for the Knights at State competition. Nitek took first place in the WIAA Division 3 finals, in not one, but two events.

The junior started off the events June 2, placing first in the 100-meter dash, with a time of 11.17, thereby earning a spot in the finals the next day. He also ran in the 200meter dash, coming in second (21.98) to advance to the finals.

Early on in the day June 3, Nitek claimed his first State championship in the 100 dash (10.80), much to the delight of his fans in the stands and back home. But, he wasn’t done there.

Nitek then sped his way to another title in the 200 dash (21.74), outdistancing his competitors for the win.

“It feels great,” said Nitek. “Never thought it could happen.”

Also competing at State, was the 4x200-meter relay team of seniors Blake Anders, Dylan Bowe and Avery Turany, and Nitek. The three seniors have run together since middle school, so it was hard to see their time together come to an end, but end it did.

The relay placed 11th (1:33.54), falling just short of advancing to the finals.

Junior Emma Lechleitner was also on the track at La Crosse, running in the 300-meter hurdles. She competed her hardest, but ultimately fell just shy of trying for the podium, coming in 11th.

“Despite the very hot weather, all the athletes performed well,” said coach Laurie Bowe. “They ran some of their best times. I am very proud of all of them.”