Arrows and Eagles soar at Class A state meet


With sunny skies and warm temperatures forecast for St. Paul over the weekend Pipestone Area and Southwest Christian/Edgerton track & field athletes had no excuses in waiting, as a combined 17 student/athletes were set to compete at the MSHSL Class A meet at Klas Field on the campus of Hamline University.

And nary an Arrow nor an Eagle needed to defend their performance, as they turned a plethora of personal-record times and broke school marks throughout the two-day event, Friday and Saturday.

“Your starting goal is just to make finals, and we did that in four out of the seven events,” Pipestone Area head coach Todd Tinklenberg said. “The two relays were just phenomenal today. We worked hard on the handoffs the last week, set two school records – resetting the marks in the 4×100 and 4×200-meter relays again today. I told the kids we just want to keep improving. In the 4×200 there was one team better than us and in the 4×100 there were two teams better than us; that’s the bottom line, but we ran PRs in both, and you can’t ask for anything more than that.”

Led by seniors Devin Tinklenberg and Carter Nesvold, the duo joined forces with junior Jason Steenstra and sophomore Cole Doppenberg to better Friday’s preliminary time of one minute, 30.3 seconds in the boys’ 4×200-meter event by another six-tenths of a second the following day – placing second overall with another school-record mark of 1:29.73. Only the team from Jordan (1:29.25) proved better during Saturday’s finals.

 “After yesterday’s 1:30 we thought maybe we could do it; we just needed to get better handoffs and run our race,” said Nesvold, who was competing in the first of three finals on the afternoon. “We were hoping to get first, but Jordan ran their best time too… was just a really good race to be part of.”

For Doppenberg, who had only his 200-meter leg of the relay to worry about in his first state meet, the excitement of having two more years to perhaps enjoy the event again was nearly overwhelming.

“We didn’t get first, but it was nice… I’m just a sophomore, so there’s still room for improvement – so I’m feeling really good about it,” he said. “It was mainly handoffs, a big part of it, and we’ve been doing whatever we could to make it perfect before this race. I think they can go out and have another good race in the 4×100… win it or get another really good place. I have confidence in all these guys.”

Steenstra echoed Doppenberg’s rhetoric in regard to handoffs, knowing in the shorter distance races they’re of elevated importance.

“It felt really good today, and all that work we’ve done on handoffs really paid off for us,” the junior said. “We improved by .6 seconds, again, and set the record… again. Coach thought we could get under 1:30, and that’s what we were hoping for.”

And along with classmate Braeden Benz, in for Doppenberg, the Arrows blazed around the Kals Field oval moments later to set another school record in the 4×100-meter relay – snatching third place in the process in a time of 43.74 seconds. Only Jordan (42.79), which bettered the meet record, and Providence (43.41) went faster over 400 meters.

Devin Tinklenberg, who had the shortest of turnarounds in having to compete in the open 400 meters minutes later, noted the push by Section 3A opponent Ellsworth – fourth in the 4×200 and fifth in the 4×100 – as being integral in the Arrows’ motivation to keep whittling time.

“Ellsworth definitely gave us some competition during the season, and that really helped get us ready for state,” he said. “We didn’t even think we were going to have relays this year, but we pulled them together and go out and break school records in the 4×100 and 4×200; it’s just incredible.”

A good word to describe the same senior leaders who had to get back on the track, with just a brief respite, to compete at 400 and 200-meter distances individually.

Devin Tinklenberg, seeded second after the prelims, was shot after claiming fourth place in the 400-meter finals in a time of 50.6 seconds – pointing to fatigue as being a big factor in not meeting his earlier time of 50.06.

“Yeah, definitely; my legs were really starting to hurt, but it is what it is… gave it my all,” said the senior who will be attending Mankato State next fall with the notion of running for the Mavericks in the back of his mind. “Everyone has had to step up this year; it’s just what you have to do in this sport.”

Nesvold too had to buck up for the final race of his high school career, running in the 200-meter finals from the tight inside avenue of Lane 1. The senior, who will be joining Tinklenberg in Mankato next fall, turned the corner in good shape and came in just ahead of Ellsworth’s Kade Boltjes (22.83) in sixth place in a time of 22.71. 

“I just had to keep cool, get into some shade during my breaks and keep stretching – stay loose,” said Nesvold, who placed fifth in the event last year. “I thought I might do a little better in the 200, but there were a lot of fast kids there this year – did my best.”

And the ‘best’ from both seniors will likely remain published in the PAS record books for several years to come.

“To turn around with Devin and Carter having to run after those events was a big order,” Coach Tinklenberg said. “They ran their hearts out, and they are two of the best athletes Pipestone has had in its history. You can put Tyl Woelber in with them, but you look at Devin and he’s got his name on five records on our record board. That’s leaving an imprint on a program. I’m so proud of him, and I’m so proud of Carter; I’m going to miss those two more than they’ll ever realize.” 

Despite the losses of the aforementioned pair come next March, Coach Tinklenberg noted the Arrows might be in good shape for a return to state in both relays.

“That’s what’s really cool about this. Because we’ve had the opportunity to get a couple of juniors up here and a sophomore, they got a taste for what it’s like. Jason Steenstra is saying to me, ‘I never thought, at the beginning of the year, I’d be sitting here with two medals – couldn’t imagine this.’ If they continue to work hard and we bring some other kids along, they can be in this position again next June.”

Part of that scenario, as well as being part of the Arrows’ third-place 4×100-meter relay team, Benz could find himself in a similar position as that of Tinklenberg and Nesvold, again, next June. Although he didn’t make the finals at either distance, Benz competed in both the 110 and 300-meter hurdle prelims at the state meet on Friday.

His time of 15.85 seconds in the former event left him one hundredth of a second out of the last qualifying spot, while his mark of 42.24 in the 300s was slightly further back in the pack.

“I was still a little nervous and trying to figure out how this meet worked, but my times weren’t bad – not my best, but not bad,” said the junior, who missed out on some crucial training due to attending his sister’s wedding the week before in New Hampshire. “I missed the finals, came up a little short, and maybe the time off (from training) could have been a factor. Me and my parents found a stadium there to practice in, so I did get a couple of workouts in.”

Still, Benz completed his weekend with a (4×100-meter relay) third-place medal around his neck, making the most of the Arrows’ first handoff in the event.

“I needed to choke up on it (baton) to give Steen(stra) something more to grab onto,” Benz said of the exchange. “I thought they went well all the way around, probably the best ones we had between me and Carter and me and Steen – best of the year. It feels pretty good to have a medal around my neck, and we have Ty Hansen (alternate for both relays) coming up so we’re hoping we can get here again next season.”

Unfortunately for PAS senior Michelle Neece, her next season will come on the heels of disappointment after failing to qualify for the finals of the girls’ 100-meter hurdles. The defending champion in the event, Neece – who has suffered through a season of injury – just couldn’t match her season-best in the prelims and turned in a time of 16.23 that was well back in the field of elite hurdlers.

“It’s state; I’m going to miss it, but it wasn’t my day,” said Neece with a tight smile. “I’m a little bummed I didn’t make it to finals, but I think I’d be more bummed if I wasn’t running next year.”

Although the Augustana University recruit is thrilled to be competing at the next level, what she’ll exactly be doing is up in the air.

“Greg Binstock (asst. coach) said he wants me to try the heptathlon, but I know I’m not a good 800 (meter) runner. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll probably be in the same events I do now… some hurdling and some jumping.” 

While the Pipestone Area boys certainly had a memorable weekend in St. Paul, so too did the Southwest Christian/Edgerton girls’ and boys’ squads. The Eagles qualified every one of their athletes for finals over the two days and also broke records – personal and school – along the way.

 “What an outstanding two days for us; it turned out so well for us, and I’m so happy for those athletes who have worked so hard all year long to get that reward and that payoff at the end,” SWC/E head coach Brian Tschetter said. “It was a perfect way to wrap up the season, that’s for sure.”

The Eagles’ top finish at the meet came from one of the younger members of the girls’ squad, sophomore Kaitlyn Schuur. The sophomore pole vaulter, who made a huge impact in medaling (ninth) as a freshman last June, bravely battled a stiff cross breeze most of the afternoon – forcing her to adjust her approach.

No matter, Schuur focused in on hitting her run hard, planting and powering through the lift with great aplomb. She quickly broke her own school mark of 10 feet, seven inches with a leap of 11 feet. And in doing so on her first attempt, Schuur claimed the tie-break honors against two other competitors that eventually cleared the same height. Although she was unable to go higher, the 11-foot mark was good enough to not only better her school record by an amazing five inches but also earn Schuur a bronze (third place) medal during a bountiful weekend for the Eagles.

“Most definitely; our team has had a great weekend,” Schuur said. “I had lots of faith… lots of faith. I do this to glorify God, and I was focused on my Bible verse that I have on my pole bag – Isaiah 40:31 – which I say every time before I vault. It’s been a cornerstone for me.” 

Although excited about jumping six places in the standings, Schuur was already planning for another assault on the state-meet field next June.

“I’m going down to Texas for the month of July where I’ll be training at the Altius factory, the company that makes my poles,” she said. “It’s located in Jacksonville, TX just south of Tyler, so hopefully I’ll get some good training in to help me get back here next year. I have two more years… super excited.”

‘Super excited’ would likely be an understatement in regard to Micah Schaap, who proved the first Eagle competitor to medal at the weekend. The freshman jumper exceeded all expectations in making the state Class A field with a near school-record leap of 42 feet, 11.5 inches in the boys’ triple jump at the Section 3A meet in Luverne. Schaap’s mark was just a quarter of an inch shy of breaking his uncle Pong Nonginthirath’s record set in 1998.

But Schaap nearly finished the season without another attempt, one that counted anyway.

“My first two (prelim) jumps were scratches by about an inch; I backed up a foot for my second jump, but still scratched,” he said. “As I stepped up for my third, I was kind of jittery, but – and I know it’s an accomplishment just to get here – I still wanted to get a good jump in… had a record I was trying to get.

“I glanced into the crowd, saw my mom motion for me to take a deep breath, and I just went for it. As I hit the board I heard coach Tschetter yell. I knew at that point I didn’t scratch, it felt good, and as they announced the mark… 43… coach screamed, and I knew I got it. It was a good jump, a great PR for me and I got the record – a great feeling.”

Schaap’s mark of 43 feet, 6.5 inches was not only good enough to earn him the school record, but also it sent the Eagle freshman into the finals of the state triple jump competition. Although he wasn’t able to hit the sand at a greater distance than his qualifying mark in prelims, his record-breaker proved good enough to garner the youngest finals competitor fifth place.

“Finals didn’t go as well for me, but they (distances) carried over, and no one else really did that well either. I didn’t get any better; I was doing math and seeing how it might shake out, and I ended up fifth – it was crazy! My legs were like rubber before stepping up on the podium. My mom was taking pictures and I got phones calls from my aunts and uncles. Combined with my sister making finals, at the same time I was competing, it was just incredible.”

One of two seniors competing for the Eagles at state this June, Sommer Schaap was not only extremely pleased to be sharing the state experience with her younger brother, but also she was thrilled to make the finals in her best event – the girls’ 100-meter hurdles – in her third attempt at state. 

Although she wasn’t able to improve on her qualifying time of 15.88 seconds, making it to the finals and finishing with an eighth-best mark of 16.17 was a fantastic way for the blossoming community developer (major) and hopeful theater minor at Dordt College to end her high school track & field career.

“Finals weren’t very good, slower than yesterday, but I made it to finals and got to get on the podium and get a medal – that was awesome,” she said. “I was a little nervous coming into the finals, among all the top hurdlers there, but I was seeded ninth, came in seventh after prelims and finished eighth today.

“It’s been really awesome to have the family here; they’ve been with me since Day 1, and I was able to share the experience with Micah… been hanging out and talking about how awesome it’s been that we were able to compete at state together. I’m excited to see what he does next year, see how he improves, while I’ll be competing at Dordt (College) next year. I’m not sure exactly what I’ll be running, but mostly hurdles I think.”

Classmate Audra Homandberg also ran her last high school event Saturday afternoon, running the opening leg of the girls’ 4×800-meter relay. Coming in seeded 16th out of 17 qualifying teams for finals-only event, Homandberg, sophomores Mikayla Johnson and Cybil Vander Top and eighth-grader Savannah Schultz were in the first of two heats and needed an outstanding time to give themselves a chance at medaling. While the Eagles heat-winning time of 9:51.21 was nearly nine full seconds from their previous season best, it came up just short of earning the hard-working foursome a medal – placing them 10th overall.

Before hearing of the team’s fate, Homandberg’s account of her time with the team was appropriately bittersweet.

“That was crazy; I almost started crying as I was running,” she said. “I’ve got such a good group of girls, couldn’t ask for more from them, and they’re what’s kept me going. When the seniors on this team leave we’re not losing much, we’re still going to have a great team. I’m, so proud of all of them.”

As is Coach Tschetter, who can only hope his younger girls will continue the example set by his seniors.

“Sommer will be missed in the hurdles and Audra in that 4×800; she was a key part for us in that event last year, and this year, and the both of them worked so hard to get back to state again,” he said. “We’ve got a couple in the wings for that relay spot, so hopefully we can fill it and get back up here again.”

The SWC/E boys’ 4×800 team of Payton Bork, Levi Van Dyken, Jonathan Eisma and Avery Pater was seeded ninth coming into the event at state, but also ran in the first (slower) heat. A victory made them almost a shoo-in for a medal, and although the quartet eclipsed their previous season-best time of 8:19.45 in placing second at 8:18.3 they anxiously awaited the outcome of the second heat. In the end, the Eagles were just fast enough to garner the eighth position in the field and earn the sophomore, freshman and two juniors, respectively, medals.

Pater, the anchor of the Eagles’ eighth-place relay squad, also earned eighth place in the open 800 meters at the weekend, but not without controversy. 

Ran up on and tripped near the finish line during Friday evening’s prelims, Pater was initially ruled out of the finals – posting the 10th fastest time of 1:58.77. Although that mark was a vast improvement from his previous season best time of 2:02.57 it was of little solace to the junior and his coach, as Pater had stumbled over his final four strides of the race.

The runner who had impeded Pater was disqualified, which opened the door for Coach Tschetter to file an appeal on his runner’s behalf. After going through several governing bodies, initially being denied by the jury of appeals, the games committee awarded the appeal and chose to run 10 in the finals. Although he wasn’t able to improve on his preliminary time Friday, Pater went on to pass two runners in the finals and earn an eighth place medal Saturday evening in a time of 2:00.28. 

For complete results of the Class A state track & field meet, see www.mshsl.org.