Rebel boys 2nd in True Team track meet
Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 8, 2003
WELLS – The United South Central Rebels were cruising along nicely, both in the race and the meet.
Everything changed with one failed exchange.
Holding a 15-meter lead entering the final leg of the 4×100 relay, the Rebels botched the final handoff and were disqualified in the event. It made the difference as they took second in the boys’ division of the True Team Section 2A track and field meet at Wells Tuesday.
Maple River won the meet – and the right to represent the section at state – with 601 points. The Rebels had 581, Mankato Loyola 505.
Longtime USC coach Kent Viesselman was disappointed but understanding about the relay that cost the Rebels the title.
“The 4×100 is always a little dicey,” said Viesselman. “To run a decent one, there is some gambling involved, and crucial decisions have to be made at top speed. DQ’s happen in this event. It’s just unfortunate it had to happen in this meet.”
For the most part, according to Viesselman, the Rebels performed well, winning five events and posting 19 personal bests.
Among the highlights were the 1-3 finish by Shea Kaiser and Jon Voigt in the 100, 1-2 by Bob Schimtz and Kaiser in the 400 and, in one of the meet’s biggest surprises, Chris Vondracek’s first-place finish in the 800. Voigt won the 200 and the pole vault.
Erik Melby, Eric Youngblom, Matt Mueller and Jake Stenzel combined for second in the 4×800 relay. Voncracek, Melby, Trent Leesch and Brian Wood were fourth in the 4×400, as were Melby, Simon Christensen, Leesch and Stenzel in the 4×200.
Other top-six USC places: Steven Wood, second, 110 hurdles and fourth, 300 hurdles; Callan Pitcher, fifth, 100 hurdles; Justin Youngblom, third, 3200; Eric Youngblom, fifth, 3200 and sixth, high jump; Adam Kruger, second, discus and second, shot put; Matt Linder, sixth, shot put; Vondracek, fifth, high jump and Kaiser, fourth, long jump.
The Rebels can still qualify for the True Team state meet as a wild card. Those spots will be determined Saturday.
The Rebels compete in the Gopher Conference meet for the first time Thursday, May 15 at New Richland.