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Willger ran a personal best 14.8 in the finals of the 110 hurdles Saturday morning, placing him fourth among Division 2 competitors. 

“I’ve worked so hard for this moment,� said Willger. “Last year making it to the finals and just getting cut short from it, I’m really happy I was able to get on that podium today.�

It was Willger's third state appearance for the 110 hurdles, as he was 15th in 2023 and took eighth a season ago. The junior entered state with a 14.88 as a personal best and improved upon that to 14.87 in the prelims on Friday. He took off more time in the finals and will enter his senior year within 0.09 of matching the school record set by Jake Madsen in 2024.

"I’m super happy I got that PR, and I’m really excited for next year," said Willger. "It puts me in a good spot for next season, senior year, I’m really hoping for the school record and to see how it goes."

Schmidt was another athlete who made it to the finals last year but came up just short of reaching the podium. This season was different as the sophomore had a best throw in the shot put of 38 feet, 10.75 inches. 

"That was my goal last year, to get on the podium, and I was one spot off, so it's definitely an accomplishment," said Schmidt, "but I'm hoping to make it up next year and get better."

As a freshman Schmidt had thrown 37-9.75, finishing in seventh. In her second trip to state her best throw improved by more than a foot and climbed one spot in the standings, but she felt she could have done more. Schmidt's top throw had come on her third attempt in the preliminary round, but in the finals needing a distance of of 42 feet to catch the leader, her three throws were all scratches.  

"Knowing I had more to give than today is definitely going to motivate me next season," said Schmidt, "knowing what my goals are, working toward them the whole season and making sure I build off what I've already accomplished this season."

It took another faster time for Rice Lake's 3,200 relay to meet its goal of medaling at the state meet. The relay of seniors MacDonald and Hastreiter, and juniors Kucko and Prince were up for the challenge though in Saturday morning's first event.

"We just wanted to come out here and run our hardest," said Hastreiter. "We gave it our all at sectionals, and we knew we had more in us today. It was awesome to break our own school record again and obviously podium. That was our goal, to get onto the podium."

The Warriors' relay had broken the school record at sectionals with an 8:07.25 and cut another five seconds off their time at state to finish in 8:02.2.  

"We wanted sub-8, we knew we could do it, but not everyday is going to be perfect," said Kucko. "But at the least we podiumed and we’re here as boys — it was a fun trip."

After running a 8:22.04 at the regional meet, the Warriors took nearly 20 seconds off their time in the last 11 days. All four ran splits in less than 2:02, and both Kucko and MacDonald ran their legs of the race in less than two minutes. 

"Just knowing it’s our last meet, our last run with our boys, so we gave it everything," said MacDonald. 

For Hastreiter, MacDonald and Prince it was their first state track and field meet, and for the two seniors their last chance to compete at state.

"I’m really glad to do it for the two seniors, it’s their last run — give them one last fun time," said Prince. "And maybe I'll come back next year with a different group or go individual next year." 

"I’m sad it’s my last 4x8 with these guys," Hastreiter added. "It’s been awesome this year, to end it this way has been the best way possible."

Also on Saturday afternoon the Warriors had Kucko take ninth in the 3,200, improving from 10th at last year's state meet. He finished in 9:29.4 to break his own school record, which he first broke at state last season and then did so again at the sectional meet.  

Willger was also in action for the 300 hurdles as he was 10th in 32.56. In 11th for the long jump was senior Madilyn DeLawyer with a top jump of 16-8.75, missing out on reaching the finals by one inch. DeLawyer graduates as a four-time state qualifier having run relays in her first three seasons, and she also competed in the triple jump in 2023. This year was her first time at state for the long jump and earlier this season she tied the school record at 17-9.

In Friday's preliminary round of the 400 relay the Warriors' boys 400 relay of seniors Lucas Peters and Owen Brunette and juniors Chris Cluppert and Willger, set a time of 43.71 to take 12th. The final relay to qualify for the finals ran 43.6. 

The Division 2 boys state team title went to Green Bay Notre Dame, with the Freedom girls, who shared last year's championship with Rice Lake, winning gold again this season. With Willger and the 3,200 relay placing in the top eight the Warriors scored eight points in the boys standings with Schmidt scoring three for the girls.