BLAINE &045; Emily Bartusek took it all in stride, just as she has the last five years.

Again, she did it as one of the best in the state.

Bartusek, an Albert Lea High School junior, finished sixth in the 400 meters in the Class AA state girls’ track and field meet that concluded Saturday at the National Sports Center in Blaine. It was her fifth consecutive appearance in the state meet.

After clocking a career-best 57.76 seconds in Friday’s preliminary heat, the fourth-best qualifying time, Bartusek and ALHS coach Margo Wayne had high hopes for the finals.

But, as has happened the last four years, Bloomington Kennedy’s Vanessa Clarida ran away with the gold, edging Woodbury sophomore Sandy Jorgenson, and the rest of the times were close from third through ninth.

Putting it in perspective after the race, Bartusek had to admit it was nice to again finish the season at Blaine and to bring home a medal.

&uot;I ran the best I could, and that’s all I can ask for,&uot; said Bartusek. &uot;It was great to be able to come up here and perform well.&uot;

Wayne said getting to state once in a career is an outstanding achievement, making Bartusek’s streak even more impressive.

&uot;Everyone wants to be a state champion, but just to be up here takes not weeks or months of preparation, but years,&uot; said Wayne. &uot;I give everyone who makes it this far a lot of credit. For Emily to come up here and do well, it’s just icing on the cake. For her to make it up here five years in a row, I mean, wow. She’s a fine individual, a fine athlete, a great representative of Albert Lea.

Bartusek added that she’d like to thank everyone who supported her this season.

&uot;It’s great to see everyone, especially the young kids,&uot; said Bartusek. &uot;They should come out for track &045; both boys and girls &045; because it’s a great sport.&uot;