The WKHS Mariner track team had another great meet last week as they competed in the Polar League Conference meet at McGregor High School. All Conference honors are awarded to the top two athletes in individual events, and the top relay team. Honorable Mention honors go to athletes who place in the top six in their event.
The Mariners had two All Conference athletes this year: Sophia Blanck and Sierra Geatz. Sophia won the 800m, setting a new Conference record with a time of 2:20.73. Silver Bay now has both the boys and girls Polar League 800m record, as Nate Bilben set the boys record last year in a time of 2:01.24. Sierra Geatz took 2nd in the 1600m run with a time of 5:44.51 to earn All Conference honors.
The Mariners had many athletes earn Honorable Mention accolades including Tonja Thomas in the 100m (3rd), 200m (5th), and Val Melander in the 400m (5th). Tonja, Val, along with Sophia and Sierra took 3rd in the 4x400m relay to add another Honorable Mention to their day.
On the boys side, Trenten Meeks, who has missed most of the season due to illness, came back strong earning a 5th place finish in the shot put with a toss of 38’03”, a season best for him. Ayden Althaus also earned an Honorable Mention with his 6th place finish in the 400m running a PR 55.92 in the process.
Other Mariner athletes had outstanding performances, but landed just outside the top 6. Both Christina Kaiser and Kjersti Hansen had big PR tosses in the discus, throwing 65’06” and 54’03” respectively. Stella LaPointe ran a PR of 35.26 in the 200m, while Dain Thompson had a PR toss of 27’10” in the shot put.
The Mariners will begin postseason competition at the Section 7A North Sub-Sections on May 25 at Mesabi East, followed by the Section 7A meet at UMD on Thursday, May 31. The MSHSL State Track meet will be held at St. Michael-Albertville on Thursday June 8-9.
