Lawrence-Nelson Raiders compete at State Track Meet

Zoom . . . and it's over.

I'm simply talking about how fast the annual High School Track and Field season goes. One minute you're wondering if a track meet is going to even take place because of snow and cold and the next minute all the excitement of the State Track Meet in Omaha is now in the history books.

However time flies for you, the L-N High School Raiders have now completed their 2021 season. As the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic eased, the 2021 Raiders ended the season with ten competitors in Omaha at the State event where the top high school athletes from across the state meet to compete against each other.

In the boys' division, four Raiders were there. L-N senior, Cole Troudt used the occasion to set a new L-N school record. His time of 10:21.66 placed him 7th in the Class D race in Omaha, however, the time set a new L-N school record. Cole's record breaking performance was the second time this season he set a L-N school record.

Logan Menke was the only other individual competitor for the L-N boys in Omaha. He ran the 1600 Meter Run in a time of 4:48.65. His time was a personal record for the season, but did not earn him a place in the top eight in Omaha. Out of the 23 boys running, Logan placed 10th.

The boys 3200 M. Relay team also earned the right to compete in Omaha. The team of Logan Menke, Nolan Ostdiek, Tyson Kotinek and Cole Troudt ran the two mile distance in a time of 8:49.08. Their finish was 8th out of the 16 team competing.

For the girls, Sydney Biltoft competed in three events and Emma Biltoft and Elsa Jorgensen each competed in two.

Sydney 300M Hurdle time was: 49.56 which placed her in the 8th place medal group. She ran in the 100M. Hurdles race as well and finished in a time of: 17.33, 13th out of a field of 24. She was also a member of the 1600M. Relay team.

Emma Epley raced to a 4th place finish in the 100 M. Hurdles with a time of: 16.12. Emma placed 6th in the Long Jump with a distance of 15' 9.25".

Elsa Jorgensen also competed in the Long Jump and her best jump was 14' 10.5", 15th out of the 23 competitors in the event. She also was part of the 1600 M. Relay team.

Kylie Beard was the other individual performer and took part in the Shot Put. Her best throw for the day was 33' 1.5", 11th out a field of 24.

The 1600 M. Relay team has Sydney Biltoft, Aleah Heikkinen, Claire Himmelberg and Elsa Jorgensen as members. They recorded a time of 4:37.29.

Head coach Preston Hild commented on the season with: "It was a very fun year, as the improvements that the kids made over the course of the year was just incredible and amazing to watch. We set more than 100 personal records this year as a team. The kids at State had an absolute blast and I am very proud of them in the effort they gave, even if they didn't do as well as they wanted to. I am excited to see what we can do next year as a team as we return almost all of our main scoring on the girl's side and we have a lot of potential on the boys side returning.