Jackson County Central is sending 10 athletes to the State Track and Field Meet in eight different events. 

FULL STORY

Huskies senior Clay Malchow qualified by setting a new school record in the boys 110 Meter Hurdles and nearly setting a new mark in the 300 Meter Hurdles. 

"The biggest keys to me would be coaching. York does a great job at practice teaching us all of the technique. Also the team aspect. All of our teammates push us in practice," says Malchow. "The [4x200 Relay] I start the race so I set the tempo of the race and how we start out so it's kind of nerve-wracking but it's also kind of fun because I love that kind of stuff. York really makes us see how good of an accomplishment it is by giving us Starburst for making it." 

Rylie Cother returns in the girls High Jump and Long Jump as a senior. 

"I kind of tear up a little bit since it is my last year. All of my other years I was always like I have next year or have more years. But being the last it's super important. I think everyone needs to recognize that importance. This is it. You don't get to do this again so just enjoy it and your team and the people you're with," says Cother. "It definitely helps with mental battles. Four years ago I would have been a nervous wreck for everything but being experienced and knowing how to deal with things and just trusting myself and the work that I put in." 

Fellow senior Ben Dahlin returns in the boys 200 Meters after resetting his own school record. 

"For me it feels great. Hopefully win it this time. I know I have a pretty good chance. All in all it's just amazing to be back and bring a little bit more people too," says Dahlin. "I didn't think I'd run this fast this year honestly. Individually it's amazing. Just focus on yourself. Don't worry about other people. Don't worry about the crowd up there. It's a big atmosphere. Deep breaths. Try to calm yourself down in the big moment." 

Quinn Landherr is another senior boys qualifier in the Pole Vault after battling back from multiple knee injuries. 

"I had my LCL, MCL, and my meniscus reconstructed in my right knee and then my meniscus in my left knee. I might have to have another surgery in my left knee because my MCL is torn in my left knee. It's just the movement and recovery has just taken so long," says Landherr. "Probably lost 30 pounds. It was a big challenge with physical therapy every day. It's been a huge challenge just getting back in the pole vault mentally. It's such a mental sport. When you have a team that you're going with you get to count on each other. There's a little more at stake since it's my last year but it will be fun. It's really amazing to come back my senior year and finally we're at State."  

Malchow, Dahlin, and Landherr are being joined by Isaac Hesebeck on one of the best 4x200 Relay teams in school history. 

"It's pretty exciting. First time making a State appearance in track," says Hesebeck. "We worked hard all season. Started with the good relays. Practiced hard. Ran hard when it mattered and here we are. Getting a good start, making sure our handoffs are good, and just running hard." 

The girls 4x200 Relay team is in elite JCC company as well. Huskies sophomore Natalia Ramos starts the race. 

"It was definitely exhilarating. It was a really close race but then we saw it on the scoreboard and it was definitely just a moment of realization hits you that we're going to State," says Ramos. "We're focusing on handoffs and using more speed because I think this is the first time this season that we're going to run it without anybody having another race and with all of us being at 100 percent. I try to motivate myself a lot and think about getting out fast and finishing faster and handing off." 

Fellow sophomore Zoey Hall runs the second leg. 

"We've definitely been really determined to get better times but we've also been bonding as a team since it's been the same relay basically all season so we've all just made good friendships, pushed each other to be better, and it's just fun," says Hall. 

Huskies freshman Stevie Untiedt runs the third leg. 

"It's a newer handoff. Instead of blind handoffs it's a different method. So we are just are working on perfecting it," says Untiedt. "I think it's cool just because you're going as a team. It's more of you working together to perfect something and it's just more fun as a team." 

Ally Luebben is the anchor as a seventh-grader. 

"I just have a good mindset and push myself because if I have a good mindset I can be better," says Luebben. "I kind of follow Natalia and Zoey because they're older and Natalia's been there and they kind of know what's going on. Just being there. Having fun." 

The State Track and Field Meet begins on Tuesday at St. Michael-Albertville High School. Preliminary action for Class A running events and the finals for field events are scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. with the running event finals starting at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.