Sonnentag dashes past competition for State title
Iszy Sonnentag, Cadott freshman, claps as she crosses the finish line June 3, becoming a State champion in the 400-meter dash. Photo by Casey Krautkramer
By Ginna Young
Becoming just the 11th girls State track champion in Cadott High School history, freshman Iszy Sonnentag led her team June 2-3, competing at La Crosse.
Sonnentag started off the weekend in the 400-meter dash preliminaries, with a time of 58.69, finishing in third place and qualifying for the finals the next day. In the finals, Sonnentag paced herself until the final turn, then turned on the turbo engines, sprinting ahead of the other runners, to claim her first WIAA State championship (57.69), almost a full second between her and the second place finisher.
“Iszy was actually widening the lead at the end of the race,” said coach Pat Rothbauer. “It is very exciting to think of what the future holds for her, as she is only a freshman.”
Sonnentag says while running in the finals, she kept thinking she had a chance to actually win – and then it happened.
“It feels amazing to be a State champ,” said Sonnentag. “I love this sport so much, and to know that I’m the best in the state for one of the hardest events in track and field, just feels so good.”
She also competed in the 100-meter hurdles, placing second in the prelims (15.64), before taking third in the finals to make podium (15.55).
“I was very proud of the way that Iszy recovered from hitting the hurdle in the finals of the 100 hurdles,” said Rothbauer. “She was able to keep her composure and finish the race in third place. Then, she was able to put that behind her, and go out and take the 400.”
Sonnentag had a busy State experience, as she took part in the triple jump, but didn’t qualify for finals, coming up with eighth place (35-4).
She was also part of the 4x400-meter relay team, joining junior Jaycee Stephens, and freshmen Taylor Hager and Lilly Spaeth, for 14th (4:14.39).
Competing in his last State event, senior Peter Weir ran in the 400-meter dash and 800-meter run. Weir qualified in the 400 prelims by placing seventh (51.46), to advance to finals, where he improved for a podium finish of fifth palce (51.20).
“We are all very proud of the way Peter bounced back this year, after missing the entire year, last year, with an injury,” said Rothbauer. “He really worked very hard this year, and to see him end his year, and career down at State, was awesome.”
In the last race – the 800 – Weir set a personal record, coming from behind to take third place (1:56.45) to end his career and the State trip.
“He will surely be missed, not only as a very exciting runner, but as a leader on the team, as well,” said Rothbauer.
