Instead of running two meets last week, the Paynesville girls' track team ran only one, because of the weather. The meet was their first outdoor meet and took place at home. The girls did really well and took first place out of 10 tough teams. "We won this meet because of our balance between the field and running events, which some teams don't have," said Coach Dave Randgaard.
After a school trip to Germany, the team was finally whole again. Amber Michaelis, one of the team members on the trip made an excellent comeback. Michaelis received a first place in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 17.64. A tough race to the finish, the 300-meter hurdles, Michaelis earned second place with a time of 50.35. She also earned a first in the long jump with a jump of 15' 9.5", and a third place in high jump of 5' 0". Michaelis scored a total of 34 points by herself.
Jenny Hess also had a great day. She ran her personal best in the 1,600- and 800-meter runs. Her time in the 1,600 was 5:21.5 and in the 800, 2:25.81. She placed first in both events.
Erin Aagesen and Danielle Lieser scored big points in the 3,200-meter run when the team was in a tight battle for first.
Melissa Bachman was another outstanding athlete in this meet. She had a first in the triple jump, a second in pole vault, and a third in the long jump. She also scored 30 points for the team.
The team is really doing well this year. They are practicing hard, having great attitudes, and also having a lot of fun.
"We really gave it our top effort against some of the top teams in the area and finished number one. I am really proud of their efforts, as the German trip students were at a disadvantage for this meet and still did very well," said Randgaard.
The New London meet cancelled last week was rescheduled for yesterday, April 20, in New London-Spicer. The girls have their next meet tomorrow, April 22, in Willmar.
Team scores
Individual results
Paynesville 146.5;
ACGC 135.5;
BDRSH 129;
Long Prairie 75;
Litchfield 72.5;
Annandale 37.5;
Cathedral 32;
EVW-K 31;
Benson 28;
Dassel-Cokato 10.
3,200-meter relay: third, 10:33.68;
100-meter hurdles: Michaelis, first, 17:64;
100-meter dash: Tiff Rausch, fifth, 13.73; Karsch, sixth, 13.9;
800-meter relay: sixth, 1:59.1;
1600-meter run: Hess, first, 5:21.5; Mayer, seventh, 6:04.35;
400-meter relay: third, 56.25;
400-meter dash: Rausch, second, 1:02.22; Carin Frenchick, eighth, 1:07.33;
300-meter hurdles: Michaelis , second, 50.35;
800-meter run: Hess, first, 2:25.81; Frenchick, eighth, 2:39.87;
200-meter dash: Rausch, fourth, 28.19; Karsch, eighth, 29.1;
3,200-meter run: Aagesen, third, 13:03.69; Lieser, sixth, 13:14.59;
1,600-meter relay: fourth, 4:29.85;
Long jump: Michaelis, first, 15' 9.5"; Bachman, third, 14' 10.75";
Shot put: Heidi Jansen, seventh, 29'3.5";
Pole vault: Bachman, second, 7' 0"; Joy Hemmesch, third, 7' 0";
Triple Jump: Bachman, first, 32' 0".