Mercedi Lapacek is jumping all the way to La Crosse.
The Poynette high jumper qualified for the 2024 State Track and Field Championships, to be held in La Crosse Friday, May 31, through Saturday, June 1, by taking second at the Portage sectional on Thursday, May 23.
“Mercedi’s performance is the 12th time a Poynette girl has qualified for state in the high jump and she is the seventh different girl to do so,” said Kevin Frehner, head coach for the Pumas. “She is the first Poynette track and field athlete to qualify for state since 2021.”
On Monday, May 20, the Pumas traveled to Prairie du Chien for regionals, where the Poynette girls finished sixth out of nine schools, while the boys took ninth.
“We had twelve kids qualify for the sectional meet in eight individual events and two relays,” said Frehner. “We were able to get kids through we thought would make it with a few surprises, as well.”
Lapacek was the Pumas’ lone event winner, taking the high jump with a career-best mark by clearing 5-3.
“Mercedi also qualified in the 100m hurdles,” said Frehner. “Zayne Hushagen also qualified in two events by placing third in the 400m dash and as a part of the 4x800m relay team that finished fourth. The other members of that relay team were Madeline Serwe, Cora Larson and Geneva Ritzke. Piper Johnson the final female qualifier in the 1600m run.”
For the Poynette boys, Wyatt See clocked in as the individual winner of the 3,200 run, as he also qualified for sectionals in the 1,600 run. Avery O’Dea also qualified in two events — the 200 dash and the 800 relay. Other members of the relay team included Chris Schwenn, Levi Mueller and Alex Graeme.
“The performance of the day belonged to Jack Nehls, who set a personal record in the discus by over 20 feet,” said Frehner. “He did this on three of his six throws and qualified for the sectional. The boys’ team had 12 season best performances that also included five career-best performances. Owen Prucha led the way with season and career bests in three events. The girls team ended with six season bests and three career-best performances.”
At sectionals, other Poynette athletes had strong performances.
“The girls’ 4x800m relay team ran to a season best time of 10:53.86 and Wyatt See ran a 16-second career best in the 3200m run to finish ninth,” said Frehner. “The boys’ 4x200m relay team of Avery O’Dea, Chris Schwenn, Levi Mueller and Alex Graeme ran to a season-best time of 1:34.48. O’Dea also narrowly missed a career best in the 200m dash.”
Frehner said Mercedi will jump at 3 p.m. on Friday at the state meet at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium on the UW-LaCrosse campus. Tickets and on-campus parking must be paid for online. Information can be found on the WIAA website.
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