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Things couldn’t have gone more smoothly in the first meet of the year for the Rhinelander boys’ track and field team.

The Hodags broke four fieldhouse records at the Northland Pines Invitational in the fieldhouse Tuesday on their way to placing first out of five teams.

The girls’ team finished middle of the pack in third.

“It was a fun first night,” Rhinelander head coach Jim Moore said. “There were positives everywhere.”

Moore didn’t look at the first-place finish for the boys all that much.

“I’m more concerned about the kids getting good at an event,” Moore said. “As a team, it’s secondary.”

In the 55-meter dash, the Hodags finished first, third and fourth. Matt Furyk (6.29) won the event, with Travis Unverzagt third and Austin Murphy fourth.

Furyk was first (24.76) in the 200-meter run and Unverzagt and Chris Sykes tied for third (25.71).

Zach Baron scored two second-place finishes –– in the 55-meter hurdles (9.41) and the 200-meter hurdles.

The shot putters did well, paced by the fieldhouse-record throw of Shane Kelly (46-1) for first place. Jake Mahoney had a toss of 43-3 and Dakota Apfel was eighth (36-0).

Eric Borchardt won the long jump (20-2), breaking the fieldhouse record. Furyk also had a fieldhouse record in the triple jump (42-0) on his way to winning the event.

The jumpers went through a typical tough time in the first meet of the season.

“Most of them were way off on their takeoffs,” Moore said. “Matt was about a foot behind a perfect takeoff.”

Grant Olson was second in the triple jump (38-0) and Baron was third (37-0).

The Hodags did well in the field events despite not having the facilities to adequately work during the first week and one-half of practice.

“That was encouraging, but we still need a fieldhouse,” Moore said.

The 800-meter relay team –– Borchardt, Unverzagt, Murphy and Sykes –– set a fieldhouse record (1:41.18).

Rhinelander finished the meet with 175 points, followed by Hayward (140), Northland Pines (131.5), Florence (70.5) and Conserve School (67).

Girls

The Hodag girls were without a few of their athletes due to a band concert, but some other girls stepped up in their absence.

The 3,200-meter relay team –– Kelsey Daniels, Katrina Katchko, Paula Nowak and Stephanie Edwards –– finished in first place (11:51).

The 1,600-meter relay team –– Jenny Walker, Leah Ring, Nowak and Edwards –– won

800-meter relay was third –– Kayci Gruening, Ellen Bognar, Allie Bognar and Sarah Bess.

Allie Fortier scored a pair of second places –– 55-meter hurdles and 200-meter hurdles.

Katchko won 3,200-meter run.

Daniels took third in 1,600-meter run

Bognar third in 200-meter dash

“We’re not bad, we’re just lacking a little depth,” Moore said.

face smaller schools

“It might be a little below us, but it’s nice first meet,” Moore said. “Hopefully, the kids get a little self confidence. If we compete every day with the Valley, we’re never going to feel good about ourselves.”

“It’s early –– we have to get some training in over spring break and get in better shape,” said Moore.

off until 25th at Pines

Boys

up by 30 points going into the last race

Florence (189.5), Pines placed second with 103.5 points, Rhinelander (75), Hayward (72) and Conserve School (43).

“Overall, I think we did awesome,” Rhode said. “We had a strong meet and the girls got to see what they’ve been training for and that’s what it’s all about.”

Megan Gwynn, a sophomore, took first in the 800 and second in the 400, high jump and 55-meter dash.

“He goal is to get to state in the 400, so we’ll see,” said Rhode.

Freshman Bridget D

third in the long jump, fifth in the high jump and anchored two third-place relay teams.

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heidi hansen furyk wrote on Mar 15, 2008 4:44 PM:

" The Rhinelander Track Team actually broke six Northland Pines Fieldhouse records on Thursday (three by Matt Furyk, one by Eric Borchardt, one by Shane Kelly and on by the team of Borchardt, Travis Unverzagt, Austin Murphy and Chris Sykes). With the entire team's contributions and support, the team took first in the invitational. All of the participating (girls and boys)students did very well. Imagine what the boys and girls could do if they had decent facilities to train in! "

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