Bednarek, Jaworski Shine at Wisconsin State Meet

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

At the Wisconsin State High School Track and Field Championships Friday and Saturday, Kenneth Bednarek made another case for why he's one of the all-time best sprinters in state history.

At the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse, the Rice Lake senior swept the sprints, winning the Division 2 100, 200 and 400. He clocked 10.42 in the 100 prelims to break the division 2 record, finishing in the finals with a time of 10.66. In the 200 prelims, he ran a US#2 time of 20.43, breaking an all-state record that was held by Michael Bennett of Milwaukee Tech (20.68).

"My goal was to come in and try to crush the 100 and 200 and now that I've finally got that goal, I feel so amazing," he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Bednarek, who will run for Indian Hills Community College in Iowa this coming fall, finished his state meet with a 400 time of 46.73, breaking his own state record. His 30 points helped guide Rice Lake to a D2 team title with 53 points. Runner-up was Lodi with 48.

In Division 1 girls action, Wausau West junior Brooke Jaworski was the standout performer of the meet, winning the 300 hurdles in a meet and all-time state record, clocking 41.40. Her time is a current US#5. She also won the 400 (53.75).

Other highlights included: Valders senior Trevor Wenzel won the D2 1,600 (4:20.70) and 3,200 (9:21.44).

In girls Division 2, sophomore Eve Goldstein claimed the shot put (43-8.50) and discus (139-5).

Senior Maddy Pietz of Wittenberg won the 100 in 12.23. Her prelim time of 11.98 set a new divisional record.

In Division 3, Luther junior David Vannucchi clocked 4:19.25 to win the 1,600 and 9:17.39 to win the 3,200.

Newman Catholic senior Julianne Barkholz picked up three D3 gold medals, winning the 200 (25.52), 400 (56.32) and long jump (18-0.75).

Senior Emma Richards of Ozaukee won the shot put (42-5.25) and discus (158-1).

RESULTS - DIVISION 1 | DIVISION 2 | DIVISION 3

Team Champions
Division 1 -- Kimberly boys 74 points; Waukesha West girls 38 points
Division 2 -- Rice Lake boys 53; Wittenberg-Birnamwood girls 50
Division 3 -- Cambridge boys 62; Benton-Scales Mound-Shullsburg girls 40