Nitek brings home three championships from Regionals

By Ginna Young

By knowing what their strengths are and when to use them, the Cornell-Lake Holcombe track program made great strides over the week.

May 14 Shell Lake Conference

Heading to Shell Lake for the Lakeland Conference meet, the Knights were focused on their competition.

“The conditions were perfect for conference and the kids really enjoyed that,” said coach Sean Schmidt.

Taking the top spot for the Knights on the boys’ side, was junior Chase Burgess, who placed third in the 200-meter dash, in a time of 24.69, and fourth in the 100-meter dash (11.86), while sophomore Alex Dixon was third in the 800-meter dash (2:22.11) and sixth in the triple jump (35-03.25).

Also placing third, was sophomore Logan Jaedike, in the pole vault (8-06) and sixth in the 400-meter dash (59.06). Senior Will Peterson followed that with fourth in the discus throw (107-10) and shot put (38-07), while sophomore Ronin Minnich was ninth in the 800 run (2:49.98) and senior Zach Schurtz ended in 10th in the 200 dash (27.65).

For the girls, senior Lauren Samardzich was fifth in the 800 run (2:42.84) and seventh in the triple jump (26-10), while freshman Katya Kuc was fifth in pole vault (6-00) and eighth in shot put (26-03.5), followed by sophomore Megan Paff in sixth in discus throw (85-01) and seventh in shot put (27-09.5).

Rounding out the scoring, were sophomore Hannah Kinard and Jossalyn Link, who placed 11th and 12th in the 200 dash, respectively (32.70, 34.08).

The girls 4x200-meter relay took second in a tight race. “I know many people were concerned that Trent (Nitek, senior) did not compete, but it was only a precaution, resting him for Regionals, after he tweaked his leg late last week,” said Schmidt. “As the plan now stands, Trent will be ready to go for all three of his events at Regionals.”

May 20 Gilman Regional

Just like they had in mind, Nitek didn’t disappoint at the Gilman Regional, coming in first in the 100-meter dash (11.35), 200 dash (23.11) and 400 dash (51.09). Burgess came next, in fifth place in the 100 (11.96) and sixth in the 200 (24.30).

Dixon placed sixth in the 800 run (2:18.94) and 11th in the triple jump (33-03), while sophomore Logan Jaedike was seventh in the 400 dash (57.82) and eighth in pole vault. Peterson followed that up with an eighth-place finish in the discus (111-08) and 12th in the shot put (3407.5), with Schurtz taking 16th in long jump (14-07) and 18th in the 200 dash (26.20).

Minnich came next, finishing 18th in the 800 run (2:47.45) and 26th in shot put (25-08.5).

Samardzich also placed high, in fourth in the 800 run (2:40.2), which just qualifies her to advance to Sectional action, along with Nitek.

“They were the only two from Cornell-Lake Holcombe to qualify for Sectionals on Thursday (May 23, at Cameron),” said Schmidt. “Several athletes just barely missed out on qualifying for Sectionals, but they competed hard and there were a lot of PRs as a result, which they can be very proud of.”

Samardzich was also 17th in the triple jump (26-08.25). Placing seventh for the Knights, was sophomore Emma Wright, in the 100 dash (14.03) and 400 dash (1:09.1), and 15th in the long jump (13-00.75), with Paff coming in eighth in discus (92-09) and 13th in the shot put event (27-10.75), while Kuc was 18th in shot put (25-09.5) and 19th in the discus throw (70-01).

Link finished things up in 23rd in the 200 dash (34.36). “They saved their best performances for Regionals, which is exactly what we like to see,” said Schmidt. “It’s just too bad more of them couldn’t get to Sectionals, but that’ll provide a lot of motivation going into next season, for returning athletes who’ll be stronger and faster in 2025.”