2022 WIAA State Track Qualifiers

The boys' and girls’ track and field teams wrapped up their season by sending six participants to the state championship meet at UW-La Crosse.  Five boys and one girl qualified by placing in the top 4 at our sectional qualifying meet at Rice Lake the week before.  

Casidi Pehler (So.) was our girl’s qualifier at the state meet.  “Casidi made a goal at the beginning of the year to break the school record and go to state! There was never a doubt in my mind that she would accomplish her goals
because of her work ethic and positive attitude!” -pole vault coach, Taryn McKeeth.  She was the regional and sectional champion in the pole vault.  At regionals, Casidi also broke her own school record, jumping 11’01”.  Casidi also just missed qualifying for state in the high jump as well.  Tegan Michalak (Jr.) also had a great sectional meet, just missing qualifying in the 3200 meter run.  

Casidi competed on the second day of the state meet.  It was lightly raining, so the pole vault competition was moved inside for safety.  Eighteen girls qualified for pole vault.  Casidi, a sophomore, went in with high hopes for her first state appearance.  Usually, an event dominated by juniors and seniors, Casidi performed well and placed 4th in state.  The three girls ahead of her were all seniors.  “She had an amazing sophomore year and everyone is excited to see what she can do next year as a junior!”  Congrats again Casidi on your amazing accomplishments this year!” - Coach McKeeth.

Ryan Sokup (Sr.) qualified for the state championship meet in the open 100 and 200 meter dashes.  Ryan decided to come out for track in his senior year and he had an immediate impact on the team.  Ryan finished his season with the 5th best time in the history of Arcadia High School in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. “Ryan came in and gave our boys’ team a huge boost right from the start.  Adding him to our senior leaders helped push the whole boy’s team to be better everyday.” -head coach, Tim Braunschweig.  At state, Ryan ran his preliminary races on Friday and qualified for finals.  Ryan raced on Saturday and finished 9th overall in the 100 and 200.  What a great accomplishment in your first year competing in track!

Ryan also competed in the state championship meet in the 4 x 200 meter relay.  His teammates were Joe Nelson (Sr.), Landan Bremer (So.), Joel Fernando (So.) and Jordan Rotering (So.) was the alternate.  “All these boys pushed each other every day.

It is so great to have such high levels of competitiveness each day at practice because that made everyone better each day.” - head coach, Tim Braunschweig.  These boys had high expectations for themselves all season.  Qualifying for the state championship was the start!  They ran great on Friday in their preliminary race and almost broke the school record.  They qualified for finals and raced again on Saturday.  They finished 8th overall.  Great season boys! “Landan, Joel, and Jordan are coming back next year as three of our experienced leaders and I can't wait to see what they can do!” - sprints coach, Jim Hoesley.