WISCONSIN STATE MEET

Throwers Bryce Ruland, Ben Smith Produce More Big Throws At State Meet

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Roisin Willis may have moved on, but the Stevens Point track program (SPASH) continued to make a presence at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association State Track and Field Championships at  Veterans Memorial Stadium Complex on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

The Stevens Point and Arrowhead boys tied for the Division I title with 47 points. Junior Bode Erickson of Stevens Point won the 1,600 in 4:15.19. 

Two of the top throwers in the country put on a show. Waterford Union junior Bryce Ruland unleashed a throw of 201-11 to win the discus title. Ruland is currently US#2 (208-10). Meanwhile US#2 shot put thrower Ben Smith of Hortonville won that event with a throw of 66-11.50 and was second in the disc (198-10). Smith is currently ranked US#1 in the discus with a mark of 209-11. 

The all-time Wisconsin record they are both chasing is 215-7 by Sean Pruitt of Valders (2005). 

In the high jump, Emmanuel Johnson of Racine Park cleared 7-1 to move into a tie for US#4.

On the track, Middleton’s Harper Fahey won the 800 in a time of 1:53.46. Homestead’s Owen Bosley won the 3,200 in 8:55.96, just missing the meet record. 

Daniel Fasasi of Wisconsin Lutheran beat Andrew Regnier of Waunakee in the 400 meters final, 47.26 to 47.27. 

Hartford Union's Aaron Cummings won the pole vault clearing 16-8, a U.S. top 15 mark. 

The DeForest girls claimed the Division 1 title with 46 points, scoring more than half of them in the hurdles as senior Anna Szepieniec won the 100 hurdles in 14.12 and was second in the 300 hurdles (43.99) and teammate Stacy Kipkoskei won the 300 hurdles in 43.64. 

Muskego’s Ella Anschutz, a freshman, ran the fastest time of the day in the 1,600 (4:50.27) to win the title. Muskego was second as a team. 

Division 2

Freshman Elletta Uddin of Osceola won the 300 hurdles in a meet record time of 43.56 seconds and also added a win in the 100 hurdles (14.34) to lead her team to a championship with 50 points. 

Sophomore Luciana Aizpurua of Avery won the 100 in a meet record 11.85, while Rice Lake’s Eliana Sheplee lowered her own meet record in the 400, winning in 55.25. 

Northland Pines’ Nora Greban claimed the 1,600 (4:53.30).

In the field, Jefferson senior Ayianna Johnson won the discus (154-2)

The Lakeside Lutheran boys edged out Shorewood 45-43 for the D2 state title. McFarland was a close third with 40 points. Senior Ben Buxa led the way for Lakeside by winning the shot put (54-3) and placing second in the discus (161-0). 

Connor Murphy of Sheboygan Falls won the 3,200 in 9:21.51. 

In the field, Waupun Area senior Jacob Abel won the long jump with a top-25 national mark of 24-3.25.

Division 3

In boys D3 action, Cade Stingle led Shiocton to a state title by winning the 110 hurdles (14.38) and 300 hurdles (38.66). 

Glenwood City senior JJ Williams won the 800 in a meet record time of 1:51.97. 

The Fall Creek girls secured the team title with 55 points, winning the 4x1 and 4x2 relays while sophomore Alena Sanfelippo won the pole vault with a school record clearance at 11-1. 

Autumn Michalski of Chequamegon won the 1,600 in 4:52.35 and 800 in 2:12.13. 

Team Champions 

Division 1 - Stevens Point and Arrowhead boys 47 points (tie), DeForest girls 46 points - RESULTS

Division 2 - Lakeside Lutheran boys 45 points, Osceola girls 50 points - RESULTS

Division 3 - Shiocton boys 38 points, Fall Creek girls 55 points  - RESULTS