Track: Z-M’s Warneke takes seventh in 3,200 at Class A state meet

ST. PAUL — Zumbrota-Mazeppa senior Nathan Warneke shot to the lead during the first lap of the 3,200-meter run Friday at the Class 1A state track and field meet at Hamline University.

He remained in the lead or near the lead for much of the first mile before tiring but he still medaled, finishing seventh in 9 minutes, 56.57 seconds.

“My race strategy has worked all year long,” Warneke said. “But I haven’t run in conditions like this all year. If I had to do it again, I’d stay a little more conservative.”

Warneke said his goal was to break the school record but weather played a major factor, adding time to his 9:42.87 seed time. During the final laps, Warneke said he was thinking to himself, “I wasn’t really picturing (state) like this.”

“There’s a lot more that goes into it than personal effort,” Warneke said. “You’re never willing to blame it on anybody but yourself. … I have nothing to complain about.”

Saturday is expected to be even warmer so Warneke said Friday’s race will better prepare him for what he will face in the 1,600 run.

“Running tonight will help me probably run better tomorrow,” he said.

The 1,600 is scheduled for 5:17 p.m.

Z-M’s Adams competes in triple jump

Zumbrota-Mazeppa senior Sean Adams took 14th place Friday in the triple jump at the Class 1A state track and field meet at Hamline University.

He jumped 40 feet, 10.75 inches.

Eric Miklausich, of Marshall School, Duluth, won with a jump of 44-10.25.

Junior Lucas Ziemba will participate in the long jump for the Cougars Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Lake City 4x100 advances to finals

The Lake City girls 4x100-meter relay team advanced to the finals with a second place finish Friday at the Class 1A state track and field meet at Hamline University.

The Tigers’ team of sophomore Brandy White, senior Haley Vaith, sophomore Shannon Ting and junior Taylor Koller ran the race in 50.84 seconds, one spot behind Byron in the second heat.

Annandale qualified in first place with a time of 49.91.

Lake City will be seeded fifth in the finals Saturday at 5:27 p.m.

Junior Kristine Novak will also compete for the Tigers Saturday in the pole vault.

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