Lady Trojans take home second place in Class 3A state tournament
David Funk clears state's best height
to spark boys
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
The scene is becoming all too familiar for Trojan track coach Dennis Boldt.
Just like a year ago on the biggest stage of them all, Wichita State's Cessna Stadium, all that was standing between his Lady Trojan team Saturday at the Class 3A state track meet and retaining their title, was the 4x400-meter relay.
With the only team that has been a fly in the ointment for the Lady Trojans, the Wichita Independent Lady Panthers, breathing down their necks in the standings, Hillsboro needed the Panthers to finish fourth or fifth and Hillsboro to finish first or second.
The Lady Trojans did everything they needed, running their season-best second-place time of 4:08.29, turning in great split timing and beating the Panthers.
In the end, it just wasn't enough to retain the title for Hillsboro, though.
Plagued by injuries throughout the season, the Lady Panthers were able to become the new champion, edging the Lady Trojans, 57-53.
"Finishing as state champions a year ago, many people would think only a repeat would bring the same feeling accomplishment," Boldt said. "I am so proud of the girls and how excited they were to accept that trophy.
"They truly understand what it takes to compete at this level from an individual and team standpoint. They are, quite frankly, the best group of girls to come through here to run track in Hillsboro history as a team."
For the third straight year, the Lady Trojans have finished no lower than runner-up.
Junior JuliAnne Chisholm has been instrumental in those accomplishments, spearheading the charge for Hillsboro over the weekend.
Chisholm retained her high jump title for the second straight year with a five-foot-six jump, helping her haul in four medals throughout the weekend.
She got a crack at Rene' Zimmerman's record setting jump of 5-9 15 years earlier, but couldn't quite clear the bar.
Chisholm's shot became slim as she qualified for four events.
"It was really exciting," Chisholm said of her high jump finish. "I tried for the record for the second year, but I didn't quite make it. Third time's a charm though, I'm hoping for next year."
For two years, Burlington's Katie Guevel has been Chisholm's biggest rival to become the state's premiere hurdler, with Guevel setting the record a year ago of 14.82.
Chisholm's second place time of 15.15 in 100-meter hurdles wasn't enough to top Guevel, who repeated, fighting off valiant efforts by both Chisholm and Hillsboro teammate Tina Frick, who took fourth in 15.48.
Chisholm had another shot at Guevel in the 300-meter hurdles, but once again, Chisholm's time of 46.47 was good enough for second with Guevel finishing in 45.73.
"I don't know if you solve it," Boldt said of Chisholm's battle with Guevel. "She's (Guevel) just an outstanding athlete and Chisholm is bound and determined to beat her in those 300 hurdles and she's very quick in the 100s. It's just a great race.
"It's like how do you solve beating JuliAnne in the high-jump? You don't."
Wrapping up the day for Chisholm was teaming up with Frick, Hannah Marsh, and senior Carrie Schroeder for the 4x400.
Also playing a huge role in Hillsboro rapidly becoming known for its girls' track teams is Marsh.
Marsh finished fourth in the 200-meters (26.11), and leaped 16-10 in the long jump for sixth.
Marsh opted to sit out the 100-meter dash to focus on pole-vaulting.
With some support from somebody who knows a little bit about vaulting, teammate David Funk, Marsh cleared 10 feet for second place.
Just qualifying for state was the highlight for the 4x100-meter relay team.
Frick helped the freshmen trio of Tiffany Rooker, Shelby Koons, and Abi Humber make it count, pulling them through for seventh (52.73).
"We had a really good state track meet," said Boldt. "We lose Carrie, but once again, we return everybody else."
Boys
David Funk has had his share of battles with injuries this season.
But the senior was rearing to go Friday afternoon.
As the defending 3A pole-vault champion, Funk retained his title, beating everybody in all classes let alone 3A, clearing 15 feet easily to break his own school and personal record.
"David Funk had an excellent day yesterday in the pole vault," Boldt said. "This kid literally comes off a broken rib that most people probably didn't know about."
"We rested him early and he comes back, and he literally was over that bar 12 inches each time he jumped, had his personal best and the state's best. What an outstanding athlete, he just blew away the competition."
The Trojans' 21 points left them in 10th place with Beloit nipping Wichita Independent, 49-48 for first.
For three years, Tim Funk has come close to making it to state, but never could get there.
With one last shot, Tim made it in both the high-jump and 110-meter hurdles, where his time of 15.64 earned him fifth place.
Cody McMillen had never qualified for state in the 3200-meters. But his sixth-place time of 10:26.07 gives him the experience and confidence he needs to exceed next season.
McMillen, along with senior Josh Boese, Sean Leihy, and Nate Holmes, finished fourth in the 4x800-meter relay (8:27.57), despite heavy wind gusts.
Perhaps the biggest surprise for the boys' team came from junior Tyler Kaufman in triple jumping, also making his debut at Wichita.
Kaufman's first jump of 42 1/2 feet gave him the confidence to help him finish sixth and gain state experience.
"Many times when an athlete competes at this level for the first time, nervousness and hesitation hinder their performance," Boldt said. "Not Tyler. He proceeded to leap a personal best jump on his first trip down the runway.
"He continued to consistently jump well and eventually took home his first state medal."
Graduation took a toll on the Trojans in terms of next season with the loss of the Funks, and Boese.
"We lose some very strong boys this season and I can't tell you how much this program will miss their leadership and attitude," said Boldt. "It will be difficult filling the void left by this senior class, but I'm confident that our upcoming upperclassmen will carry on the tradition of track and field this group carried."
Girls' Results
Discus — 14. Chelsea Bebermeyer, 99-6.
100-meter hurdles — 2. Chisholm, 15.15. 4. Frick, 15.48.
300-meter hurdles — 2. Chisholm, 46.47.
High jump — 1. Chisholm, 5-6.
200 meters — 4. Marsh, 26.11.
Pole vault — 2. Marsh, 10-0.
Long jump — 6. Marsh, 16-10.
4x100-meter relay — 7. Hillsboro, 52.73.
4x400-meter relay — 2. Hillsboro, 4:08.49.
Boys'
Javelin — 11. Adam Dirks, 152-11.
Pole vault — 1. D. Funk, 15-0.
110-meter hurdles — 5. T. Funk, 15.64.
High jump — 8. T. Funk, 6-0.
800-meters — 9. Nate Holmes, 2:06.7.
Triple jump — 6. Kaufman, 42 1/2.
3200-meters — 6. McMillen, 10:26.07.
4x800-relay — 4. Hillsboro, 8:27.57.
