Marcell breaks state records in shot, discus

By Casey Krautkramer

Marathon junior Chris Marcell set WIAA Division 3 state records while winning the shot put and discus championships at last weekend’s state tournament in La Crosse. He earned 20 team points to help the Marathon boys track and field team win the state title with 48-1/2 points.

On Friday, Marcell threw the shot put 61 feet in his fifth out of six attempts. It was further than the Division 2 state champion’s top throw of 59 feet, seven inches but not quite as long as the Division 1 state champion’s throw of 61 feet, 3-1/2 inches. It was Marcell’s first season that he qualified for state shot put.

There was a light rain on Saturday morning during warmups and the preliminary round for the Division 3 discus competition. Marcell and other throwers used a towel to dry off their discus. Longtime Marathon shot put and discus throwing coach Gary Raether sat in the bleachers to watch Marcell throw. He said Marcell is of course a great athlete but his fast feet in the discus circle separate him from his competition.

Marcell set the Division 3 state discus record on his first throw of 193 feet, 10 inches. It was certainly not his best throw as of late but he still raised his arms in the air to greet the large crowd that gathered to watch him break the state record. His fourth discus attempt was 201 feet, four inches and his fifth attempt was 201 feet, nine inches.

He finished his great discus throwing day at state with his highest throw of 211 feet, four inches in his last attempt to easily outdistance the state runners-up. Marcell explained what he was thinking going into his final discus throw.

“Let’s throw it really far,” he joked.

See STATE RECORDS/ page 19

FIRST OF TWO STATE THROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS- Marathon junior Chris Marcell is shown competing in the WIAA Division 3 shot put on Friday at the state tournament in La Crosse. He threw the shot put 61 feet, 3-1/2 inches to win the state title and break the state record.

SN PHOTO/MATT FREY State records

Continued from page 12

“Honestly though, I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, coaches and family. I have a great support system around me and I really appreciate that.”

His top discus throw on Saturday was further than both the Division 1 and 2 state champions’ throws at state. Marcell was hungrier this season to win the Division 3 discus state championship after what he called a disappointing showing in the state discus last season. He finished as state runner-up with a throw of 170 feet, eight inches. Last year’s Division 3 state discus title was won with a throw of 172 feet, six inches which Marcell knew he was capable of beating. He placed eighth in the state discus as a freshman.

Marcell agrees with Raether’s assessment of him having fast feet in the discus circle. He explained what he feels set him far apart from his discus competitors this season.

“I enjoy it,” Marcell said. “I have fun out there and I put the time in.”

He reflected on how he was able to throw the discus so much further this track and field season compared to last year.

“I self taught myself the best I could in the off-season when coaches weren’t allowed to be in contact with me,” he said. “When we got to the season, Mr. Raether taught me all the very basics about it and Jon (Kleinschmidt) took me to the next level, but either way without either of them I wouldn’t be where I am today so I’m super grateful for this opportunity. Jeff Schneider is another of my throwing coaches too.”

When asked about how it feels to break both the state shot put and discus records, Marcell talks about the shot put where he also made huge strides from last season to this season.

“That feels awesome,” he said. “I was going into this year in the shot put just hoping that I would break 50 feet and then I broke 60 feet and then I was going for the state record and I got it, and I’m just beyond filled with emotion so it’s a great feeling.”

Marcell said he’s received a lot of interest from Division 1 colleges and he’s spoken to a few coaches on the phone, but so far Auburn University in Alabama throwing coach Patrick Ebel is the first to have a home visit with him. Marcell described what it’s like to be receiving attention from Division 1 colleges.

“It’s a surreal feeling for sure,” he said. “I remember as a little kid wanting to go Division 1 in football at first and then it kind of shifted over to track more, but honestly I am just trying to enjoy the process and have fun while I still can.”