As far outdoor sports are concerned, May 10 could not have been a better day for the Mound Westonka High School track team to participate in the Section 6AA True Team Meet. 

The true team series was started in 1987 by the State Track and Field Coaches Association to address the need in the sport for a true TEAM competition. In the True Team format, each team is allowed two entries in Class 1A and 2A (three entries in Class 3A) in individual events and one entry in each relay event. Every entry is placed and scored according to their order of finish, with the idea that a team’s second or third entry becomes just as important as their first entry.

Headlining White Hawks performances include a 13’7’ pole vault record set in 1991 being shattered by the “high flying” junior Payton Kasper.  While narrowly missing the record height the previous two meets, the former gymnast vaulted to a height of 14’6” for a place on the MWHS wall of records and a meet second place overall.

The dependable girls 4x200M earned first-place honors with a 1:50. Junior Micah Boyce, sophomore Makenna Seitz, junior Abby Hollenstein were quick off the blocks and around the backside of the track and with the final handoff, cruised to victory. The team finished with a commanding 2-second lead over second place.

Senior veteran Lance Nemecek took home a well-earned first place in the 800M. While it was his second race of the day, Nemecek took the lead spot immediately after the gun, with a Willmar runner right behind.  As they led into the second lap, it was evident Nemecek was the faster runner and finished with a dominant 3-second lead.

When asked her impressions on the day, head coach Sara Schwartz proudly commented:

The girls and boys teams competed really well at the meet! The coaches were really impressed with the middle distance and distance boys’ results, as well as our sprinters and relays on the girl’s team! Seeing Payton soar over 14'6" for a school record was a definite highlight of the meet for the coaches and team! It's nice to see what these kids are capable of after a little training in nice weather and getting the opportunity to compete on a great day!

Other top White Hawks performances include Micah Boyce 27:18 second place and Avery Olson 27:07 third place in 200M. The reliable Sam Dioszeghy continues his season with strong throws of 43’11 for second place in the shot put and 144’06’ for second place in the discus. 

The speedy girls 4X100, including senior Bella Lund, ninth grader Avery Olson, senior Kennedy Schmidt and Boyce delivered a 51:06 for second place. The consistently improving boys 4X800 also delivered a runner-up performance with Nemecek, sophomores Jack and Luke Markstrom and junior Logan Kevit scoring an 8:28.  And rounding out the list of top performances had the boys 4x400 team of Nemecek, Kasper, Jack and Luke Markstom  taking third place in 3:35 and Bella Lund in the 100M dash also with a third in13:38.

Next up for White Hawks track is the Wright Country East Conference Meet in Jordan on Tuesday, May 17.