Senior Scott Wheeler hands of the baton to sophomore Chase Rowley in the 4x100m relay at the state meet last week in Omaha. The 4x100 relay team captured the silver medal. (Johnson Publications photo)
Senior Kadin Vrbas rounds the corner in the 200m at state track last week in Omaha. Vrbas placed eighth in both the 200m and the 100m. (Johnson Publications photo)
Senior Kalen Wallin competed in the 3200m at the state track meet last week in Omaha, finishing 21st. Eli Huebner of Hershey—right behind Wallin—finished 18th. (Johnson Publications photo)
Senior Evan Fisher hurls the shot put at the state track meet last week in Omaha. Fisher didn’t place in shot put or 110m hurdles, but earned sixth place in the discus. (Johnson Publications photo)
Longhorns perform well at state track
With a District C-9 championship under their belts, the Longhorns sent 14 athletes—15 including the relay alternate—to the state track meet at Burke Stadium in Omaha Friday and Saturday.
“Out of our 15 guys that traveled with us, only five were seniors,” Head Coach Carl Zuege said.
“That just shows we have some good opportunities to go back next year and keep it going.”
While the Longhorns ended up tying for 23rd place with St. Paul, they did come away with a silver medal in the 4x100m relay and experience for underclassmen.
“They now understand better what it takes to compete at the state level,” Zuege said.
Competing at state also gave younger athletes a chance to say, “Hey, I’m not that far off,” he added.
Weather and sickness again played a role in performances at state.
After winning districts in both the 400 and 800 meters, senior Scott Wheeler spent most of last week before state sick.
“He had a fever and lost like 10 pounds,” Zuege said.
“You need your strength in a race like the 800.”
Wheeler did have a positive outcome though, receiving a silver medal in the 4x100 relay.
Also placing at state were Evan Fisher, sixth in the discus, and Kadin Vrbas. Vrbas placed eighth in both the 100 and 200 meters.
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