Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s Maddy Pietz has 7 medals from her time at the WIAA State Track and Field Championships, but the one she is wearing is special to her.
“This is my first individual gold” said Pietz. Maddy finished second in both the 100 and 200 dash in both her Freshman and Sophomore year.
“When I crossed the line, it was an unreal feeling to know that I finally won after coming up short so many times” Pietz said.
At the start of the year, Maddy decided that she was not going to run in the 100 Dash, and made the switch to the 400 with the advice of many, including her coach Mike Balliett.
“He said I am the kind of runner that needs to fight to win and the 100 just is not enough time for that” Pietz said.
“It was the right decision, and everyone said the 400 was going to be the best for me, so I took everyone’s advice, and it paid off.
Maddy said there was a learning curve that had to be made throughout the season to get her 400 to the Championship level.
“If someone is right ahead of me or on my hips, I tend to run faster. I prefer the 100, because I am done faster”
Maddy finished her individual day by taking 2nd in the 200 Dash for the third straight year.