Red Raiders golf concludes state tourney
By Casey Krautkramer
Marathon’s varsity golf team took seventh place among eight teams competing at the WIAA Division 3 state tournament on Monday and Tuesday at University Ridge Golf Course in Verona.
The Red Raiders golfed 370 strokes on Monday and 369 on Tuesday for a team total of 739. Durand-Arkansaw won the Division 3 state team championship with a low total score of 651 strokes in the combined two-day state event. Chetek-Weyerhaeuser was Division 3 state runner-up with 661 strokes.
Marathon sophomore Abram Jacobson was the team’s top golfer at state with 91 strokes on Monday and 87 on Tuesday for a total of 178 which was tied for 31st place among 52 golfers. Senior Blake Kraft golfed a 92 on Monday and 90 on Tuesday for a total of 182 strokes which tied for 37th place. Junior Chevy Cook shot 94 on Monday and 90 on Tuesday for a total of 184 strokes for 40th place. Senior Myles Handrick golfed a 93 on Monday and 102 on Tuesday for a total of 102 strokes to take 45th place. Senior Braxton Jourdan had 124 strokes on Monday and 112 on Tuesday for a total of 236. Tucker Johnson
See STATE GOLF/ page 19
ENJOYING THE STATE EXPERIENCE - Members of Marathon’s varsity golf team smile while basking in the state tournament experience at University Ridge Golf Course in Verona. Red Raiders state golfers pictured, from left to right, are Chevy Cook, Blake Kraft, Myles Handrick, Abram Jacobson and Braxton Jourdan.
PHOTO BY LUKE JACOBSON State records
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“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.”
