Marathon boys win WIAA track and field sectional title
By Casey Krautkramer
The Marathon and Stratford varsity boys track and field teams continue taking turns winning championships this season.
Marathon won its home Marawood Conference championship on May 19. Stratford won its home WIAA Division 3 regional championship on May 27. Marathon won its home WIAA Division 3 sectional championship on Friday.
Next, the Red Raiders and Tigers will battle for a state title at the 129th WIAA boys track and field championships in La Crosse this Friday and Saturday, June 6-7, at the Veterans Memorial Stadium Complex on the UW-La Crosse campus.
The Marathon boys tallied a team-high 94 points at Fridayâs sectional followed by Stratford with 79, Coleman 70 and Edgar 48 among 33 schools competing.
Stratford was WIAA Division 3 state runners-up last season with 34 points compared to state champion Iola-Scandinavia with 45. Stratford has the most entries in the WIAA Division 3 state competition this weekend with 17, including representation in five individuals events and four relays. Abundant Life Christian, Edgar and Marathon are all second on the list of having the most entires with 14. Of the three programs, Marathon has the most representation in events with nine, including six individual events and three relays.
Marcell eyes state records
Marathon junior Chris Marcell won individual sectional championships on Friday in both the shot put and discus. If he can equal his sectional distances at state this weekend, his sectional shot put throw of 60 feet, eight inches would break the state record of 59 feet, 9-1/4 inches. His sectional discus throw of 202 feet, eight inches would well out-distance the state record of 181 feet.
Marcellâs discus throw of 220 feet, eight inches at the WIAA Division 3 regional in Stratford ranks No. 2 in the nation. He is receiving interest from major Division 1 college track and field programs including Auburn. Marcell was runner-up in the state discus last year and eighth in 2023.
Boys relay state title defense
The Stratford boys 4x100-meter relay won the sectional championship in 43.22 seconds and is seeded No. 1 at state with having the quickest time. This relay consists of senior Jett Schoenherr, juniors Coltan Breit and Zander Zawislan and sophomore Carter Foster. Relay alternates are juniors Austin OâNeil and Mason Miller. The Tigers are looking to defend their 4x100-meter relay state title from last season.
The top four places in each event at sectionals qualify for the state tournament. Edgarâs 4x100-meter relay placed fourth at sectionals in 44.25 seconds to qualify for state. This relayâs members are seniors Austin Schreiber and Ty Schnelle, sopho-
See TRACK SECTIONALS/ page 20
PUTTING ON THE JETTS - Stratford senior Jett Schoenherr has a tattoo of a jet on his left thigh to signify his speed. His parents, Todd and Dawn Schoenherr, named him Jett when he was born because it was Toddâs mother Jeanette (Dahlke) Schoenherrâs nickname in college because she wore Jett Shoes. Jett Schoenherr qualified for three state events in the 100 and 200-meter dashes and as a member of Stratfordâs 4x100meter relay team.
STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER
STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER
SCHOOL RECORD-BREAKING RACE- It was a historic boys 4x800-meter relay race at Fridayâs WIAA Division 3 sectional in Marathon before the storm arrived to delay the meet a little later. Marathonâs 4x800-meter relay team won the event championship while setting the school record of 8:06.70. Red Raiders pictured holding the baton, from left to right, are sophomore Brady Annis and senior Levi Krautkramer. Red Raiders pictured standing, from left to right, are Logan Rohland and Logan Peters. Stratfordâs 4x800meter relay team took second place in 8:08.07 to break a 23-year-old school record. Tigers pictured sitting, from left to right, are Ethan Heeg and Garrett Zuelke. Tigers standing, from left to right, are Cooper Bosmans and Cree DeFoe. Edgarâs 4x800-meter relay team placed third while setting the school record at 8:20.09. Wildcats sitting, from left to right, are Carson Nowak and Dom Contreras. Wildcats standing, from left to right, are Isaiah Kraft and Dillan Sondelski.
STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER
MILLER EXCITED TO QUALIFY FOR STATE - Marathon freshman pole vaulter Alec Miller hugs his aunt, Laura Miller, after discovering he qualified for the WIAA Division 3 state championships in La Crosse. He took second place in the sectional pole vault with 12 feet, nine inches.
BURKEâS GREAT LEAP - Edgar sophomore Rachel Burke attempts one of her long jumps during Fridayâs WIAA Division 3 sectional in Marathon. She failed to advance to state in the long jump after finishing in seventh place. Burke is a member of Edgarâs state qualifying 4x200-meter relay that placed third at the sectional in 1:48.73. Marathon sectional meet volunteer Brenda Wirkus is shown in the background.
STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER
STRATFORD SPRINTER - Stratford sophomore Brianna Sherden took fourth place in the WIAA Division 3 Marathon sectional 200-meter dash in 26.28 seconds to qualify for state. She barely missed advancing to state in the 100-meter dash with a fifth-place finish in 12.84.
STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER
MARCELL IS DETERMINED TO BREAK RECORDS AT STATE - Marathon junior Chris Marcell throws the discus at Fridayâs home WIAA Division 3 sectional. He won first place in the discus with a throw of 202 feet, eight inches. Marcell also won the sectional shot put championship with 60 feet, eight inches. He has a shot to break both throwing records at the state championships.
STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER
STREIT ADVANCES TO STATE IN BOTH HURDLING EVENTS - Edgar junior Tucker Streit is shown competing in the triple jump at Fridayâs WIAA Division 3 sectional in Marathon. He failed to qualify for state in the triple jump with a seventh-place finish, but advanced to state in the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles by taking second place in both of them.
STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER Track sectionals
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more Caius Higgins and freshman Landon Lukasko. Relay alternates are senior Eli Slack and junior Maverick Butt.
Schoenherrâs a speedster
Stratford senior Jett Schoenherr won the 100-meter dash at Fridayâs sectional in 10.94 seconds and he placed second in the 200-meter dash in 22.29. He placed third in the 200-meter dash and fourth in the 100-meter dash at state last year.
Freshmen find way to state
Marathon freshman Alec Miller took second place in the sectional boys pole vault with 12 feet, nine inches to qualify for state. Marathon freshman Bristal Bauman took second place in the sectional girls pole vault with nine feet, nine inches to qualify for state.
Relays dominate sectional
Stratfordâs boys 4x200-meter relay team won the sectional championship in 1:30.72 and consists of senior Brandon Knetter, Zawislan, Breit and Carter Foster. Alternates are Mason Miller and sophomore Austin Niehaus.
Marathonâs 4x200-meter relay placed second in 1:31.31 and includes senior Levi Krautkramer and sophomores Fred Tylinski, Garrett Bracewell and Brady Annis. Alternates are senior Logan Witberler and junior Luke Hoenisch. Marathonâs 4x200meter boys relay now holds the school record.
Edgarâs 4x200-meter relay placed third in 1:31.51 and includes Schreiber, Lukasko, Higgins and Schnelle with alternates Slack and sophomore Kennen Van Ornum.
Marathonâs boys 4x400-meter relay won the sectional title in 3:27.86 and includes seniors Logan Rohland and Levi Krautkramer and sophomores Annis and Bracewell. Alternates are senior River Stanecki and sophomore Fred Tylinski.
Stratfordâs 4x400-meter relay placed second and consists of senior Caden Foster, junior Zawislan and sophomores Austin Niehaus and Connor Kreft. Alternates are seniors Garrett Zuelke and Xander Curtice.
Edgarâs 4x400-meter relay placed third and includes senior Ty Schnelle, junior Tucker Streit and sophomores Kennen Van Ornum and Higgins. Alternates are sophomore Isaiah Kraft and senior Schreiber.
Boys relays break records
The Red Raidersâ 4x800-meter boys relay team won the sectional title in 8:06.70 and consists of Rohland, Krautkramer, Peters and Annis. Alternates are juniors Ethan Huebsch and John Kahon. Marathonâs boys 4x800-meter relay broke the 2014 school record of 8:07.52.
Stratfordâs 4x800-meter relay placed second in 8:08.07 to break a 23-year-old school record. Relay team members are seniors Ethan Heeg, Cooper Bosmans, Cree DeFoe and Zuelke. Alternates are senior Derek Wiese and freshman Jayden DeFoe.
Edgarâs 4x800-meter relay placed third in 8:20.09 and includes juniors Dillan Sondelski and Dom Contreras and sophomores Carson Nowak and Isaiah Kraft. Alternates are junior Cade Koch and freshman Emmitt Van Ornum. Edgarâs 4x800meter boys relay broke the school record at sectionals.
Girls relays going to state
Stratfordâs girls 4x100-meter relay won the sectional championship in 51.31 seconds and consists of junior Dawnyel Martin, sophomore Brianna Sherden and freshmen Wynn Schoenherr and Lillian Kaiser. Alternates are junior Hailey Fecker and freshman Morgan Schmidt.
The Edgar girls 4x200-meter relay took third place at the Marathon sectional in 1:48.73 and includes seniors Addisyn Trawicki and Mia Stencil, sophomore Rachel Burke and freshmen Shiloh Karlen. Alternates are sophomore Abigail Christiansen and freshman Ashley Krause.
More individuals statebound
Marathon sophomore Garrett Bracewell won the 110-meter hurdles at sectionals in 14.75 seconds. Edgar junior Tucker Streit qualified for both boys state hurdling events by taking second place in both the 110-meter hurdles in 14.87 seconds and 300-meter hurdles in 39.64.
Red Raiders senior Logan Witberler took second place in the triple jump with 43 feet, 6-3/4 inches and Stratford sophomore Connor Kreft was third with 43 feet, five inches. Witberler tied Marathonâs triple jump school record by Cody Ewert in 2012.
Marathon freshman Cael Riesgraf placed second in the high jump with six feet, two inches and Stratford senior Xander Curtice was third with six feet, one inch.
Stratford senior Cree DeFoe placed third in the boys 3,200-meter run in 9:52.91. Tigers sophomore Brianna Sherden placed fourth in the girls 200-meter dash in 26.28 seconds. Marathon senior Shilo Blake placed fourth in the girls 3,200-meter run in 11:45.86.
Athens at Colby sectional
Six Athens boys and girls track and field athletes advanced from Fridayâs Colby sectional to this weekendâs WIAA Division 3 state championships.
Junior SyâRih Hartwig won the girls shot put sectional title with a throw of 41 feet, four inches and is seeded second at state. Hartwig placed third in the discus at sectionals with 133 feet, six inches and is seeded fifth at state.
Athens senior Kyle Schreiner won the boys sectional pole vault championship with 13 feet, six inches and is seeded second at state. Bluejays senior Malaina Telschow took second place in the girls sectional pole vault with 10 feet, six inches. Telschow tied with Ladysmith junior Hailey Wilmot with 10 feet, six inches but she missed her first attempt at this height and Wilmot didnât, thus Wilmot won first place.
Bluejays sophomore Ellis Baer took third place in the girls 1,600-meter run in 5:33.86 and senior Brianna Sheahan placed third in the 3,200-meter run in 12:07.19. Athens sophomore Brock Beaty placed fourth in the 110-meter hurdles in 16.12 seconds.
WIAA state Division 3 field and running events start at 9:30 a.m. this Friday, June 6. Saturdayâs state Division 3 field events begin at 9:30 a.m. and the running events start at 10 a.m.
STRENGTH HELPS HARTWIG QUALIFY FOR STATE IN THROWING EVENTS - Athens junior SyâRih Hartwig heaves the shot put during Fridayâs WIAA Division 3 sectional in Colby. She won the shot put championship with a throw of 41 feet, four inches and is seeded second at state. Hartwig also qualified for the state discus with a third-place sectional throw of 133 feet, six inches.
TP PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD
YOUNG LONG-DISTANCE RUNNER SHINES AT SECTIONAL - Athens sophomore Ellis Baer ran to a third-place finish in the 1,600-meter run in 5:33.86 at Fridayâs WIAA Division 3 sectional held in Colby to advance to the state tournament in La Crosse.
TP PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD
