LA CROSSE, WI- The Freedom Irish girls track team came away with another State Championship in La Crosse. It’s the team’s first title since 2021 and the fourth time in the last five years that they brought home some team hardware.
“It’s an entire group effort top to bottom and when we or lose, we do it all together,” said Coach James Finster.
The Irish secured a co-championship with the 4×400 relay team finishing 3rd in the meets final event.
“We knew we needed to get third or better, and that is what we did,” Leigh DeWitt said.
The Irish were six points behind Rice Lake and finished tied with them with 45 points.
Gracie Martzahl led things off for the team. “I did not want to let my team down and I wanted to set them up well,” she said.
Martzahl did start out well and that did set the tone as the team finished with a 3:58.38.
“We have to trust our teammates, right?, Claire Helmila stated.
“I knew Claire was going to push through,” said De Witt, who was the third runner.
Lydia Merrick had to make up some ground to help the third place finish.
“I have faith in my teammates and they trusted me,” Merrick said. I just had the determination to go for it for my team.”
Freedom found other success
“I went into so scared, but I knew that my team needed that finish.”
Merrick also competed in the High Jump and finished 6th. “I missed a height that I hit all year, so that was disappointing.”
Merrick was 6th in the 100 hurdles, while teammate Ashley Hietpas was 3rd. Merrick also added a second place finish in the 300 Hurdles.
Claire Helmila contributed to the team score by finishing 2nd in the 800 run.
Evelyn Wall was 4th in the Long Jump and Madison Schaper was 3rd in the Shot Put.
“It’s a special group, and we challenge them and we have had a lot of ups and downs, but this says it all,” Finster added.
Hear from the State Champs as well as Lillie Fouts of Xavier and Macy Reybrock of New London in the video below.
Other Division 2 Notes
Girls
Macy Reybrock of New London secured a 3rd in the 400 and Lillie Fouts of Xavier was a State Champion in the 1600 to help represent the Bay Conference.
Nora Grembon of Northland Pines was unable to secure her fourth straight state championship in the 1600.
Faith Resch of Wittenberg-Birnamwood was 3rd in the Triple Jump.
Boys
Max Voss of Amherst earned two medals with a 6th in the 800 and a 3rd in the 3200. Freedom’s 4×400 relay team was 2nd.
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