Eight Merrill Bluejays rack up second and/or third place Conference finishes
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
“The 2021 Wisconsin Valley Conference Meet is in the books!” said Merrill Track & Field Head Coach Jason Wadzinski. “It was hot, and it was humid but we did successfully avoid any rain or delays.”
Merrill Track & Field Bluejays were at the head of the pack in several events on Tuesday, June 8, at the Wisconsin Valley Conference Meet in Marshfield.
“Let’s start with highlights for the ladies!” Coach Wadzinski said. “Liz Schmidt is your 2021 Conference Champion in the 1600 and 800 meter runs. She also anchored the girls 4×400 meter relay that took 2nd place at the end of the night.” While she was at it, Schmidt set a new Merrill High School record with a time of 5.00.54 in the 1600 meter run.
“Faith Seliger is your 2021 Conference Champion in the High Jump, took 3rd place in the 100 meter hurdles, and was the lead leg of the girls 4×400 meter relay,” he said.
“Now for the gentlemen,” Coach Wadzinski said. “Carter Jensen paired two 2nd place conference finishes in the 110 and 300 meter hurdles. Carter also was the lead leg of the boys 4×400 meter relay that took 3rd overall.”
“Ashton Voermans captured 3rd place in the open 400 meter run, he also passed two competitors in the final stretch of the 4×400 meter relay to help his team take 3rd place in the last race of the night!” Coach said.
Top performances of the meet with their times include:
Conference Champions
– Liz Schmidt in the 1600 m Run (5:00.54 – New School Record Again)
– Liz Schmidt in the 800 m Run (2:18.16)
– Faith Seliger in the High Jump (5’4”)
2nd: Place Conference Finishes
– 4×400 m Girl Relay (Faith Seliger, Olivia Troyer, Madison Crossman, Liz Schmidt)
– Carter Jensen in the 110 hurdles (16.50)
– Carter Jensen in the 300 hurdles (41.90)
3rd Place Conference Finishes
– Faith Seliger in the 100 Hurdles (17.02)
– Ashton Voermans in the 400 m Run (52.33)
– 4×400 m Boys Relay (Carter Jensen, Brian Ball, AJ Vogel, Ashton Voermans)
While the frontrunners score a lot of the attention, this year’s team did great overall. “There were many others that placed in the top eight of their respective events,” he said, “meaning they also scored team points!”
That led to an awesome team finish for 2021, as well. “The boys scored 50 total points, and the ladies racked up 79; both teams finished 5th in Conference,” Coach Wadzinski said. “These are the highest totals Merrill has put together in a number of years at the Conference Meet, and it is 100% a credit to how hard these kids work and the ‘take on the world’ attitude that many of them carry.”
“I am immensely proud of this group of underdogs and their gutsy performances last night,” Coach said the day following the Conference Meet. “Congratulations to all of our medal and certificate winners.”