Wayzata’s streak of 11 straight top-two finishes in the State Class AAA True Team Track and Field Meet came to an end May 17 at Stillwater, due to a combination of circumstances.
Untimely injuries and sicknesses were the main obstacles in the Trojans’ path. Then, there was the weather, which became particularly adverse during some of the Trojans’ best events later in the meet.
For the first time in years, Wayzata’s point total fell below the 1000 mark. The Trojans’ 943 points put them sixth in the final standings.
“The rain was something nobody predicted,” Wayzata head coach Aaron Berndt said.
The weather forecast all of the radio and TV stations had was - high of 85 with sunshine and a light breeze. Once the clock hit 7 p.m., however, blackish-gray clouds hovered over Pony Stadium. A light rain began to fall at about 7:30, and torrents of rain followed, forcing athletes to take shelter in the fieldhouse adjacent to the track facilities.
As for the injuries, Berndt said the Trojans were down “half a dozen sprinters and jumpers.” They were also without one of their key distance runners, senior Tyler Kissell. Berndt estimated that Kissell would have been worth approximately 50 team points.
While the injury situation and the weather were disappointments, coach Berndt found no fault in Wayzata’s effort.
“Our throwers gave us an A-plus performance,” he said. “Will Weber was sick, but gutted out two good performances [in the distance events]. Senior Del Johnson came through in the sprints.”
Going through the list of events, coach Berndt was able to identify Wayzata’s success.
Senior Tyler Milkes placed fourth in the 200-meter dash in 22.50 seconds. Junior Matthew Adams and Del Johnson gave Wayzata eighth and ninth places in the 400.
Senior Hayes McMillan placed third in the 800 in 1:59.80 and Weber took fifth place in 2:00.33.
Weber placed second in the 1600, losing in a photo finish with Edina’s Jace Haerter -4:20.22 to 4:20.45. McMillan added a 10th place in the 1600.
Adams gave Wayzata 10th place in the 300 hurdles with a personal record of 42.30 seconds.
The Trojans were not able to get a top-three finish in any of the four relays, which hurt them in the team totals.
Field events
Wayzata’s No. 1 star in field events, senior thrower Manny Wilson, won the shot put with a personal record of 58 feet, 0.25 inches. Teammate Eli Diane, only a freshman, took fourth place with 50-2. Charles Smith, the Wayzata senior, was third in the discus with a best of 150 feet, 5 inches and Wilson added an eighth place with 138-5.
Two Wayzata high jumpers, junior Tyse Feldmann and sophomore Sam Booh cleared 5 feet, 10 inches and William Mennen cleared 5-8. Mennen set a personal record in the triple jump with 41 feet, 0.5 inches.
Section 6AAA
Wayzata now turns its attention to next week’s Section 6AAA Meet.
“We will shift our focus to qualifying individuals for the state meet,” coach Berndt said. “We’re gearing up to do well in the Minnesota State High School League Meet.”
True Team
Boys Scores
Mounds View 1156, Blaine 1058, Minnetonka 1054, Stillwater 1041.5, Rosemount 1002, Wayzata 943.5, Edina 851, Mankato East 798, Anoka 732, Prior Lake 701, Moorhead 645.5, Shakopee 569.5.
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