McFarland hosted its inaugural Bruce Fisher Invitational on Friday, and sprinter Andrew Kelley made sure the host school was well represented.Â
The senior won the 100 meters with a time of 11 seconds, beating out Madison Memorial's Jamarion Moore by .08 seconds.Â
It was Kelley’s first race since the state track and field meet last year, when he placed third in the Division 2 100.Â
"I tried to make sure my first run was smooth and felt similar to last year," Kelley said. "Even though it was my first 100 of the year, I was relaxed and it felt good to be back out here."
Kelley also finished second in the invitational’s 200, crossing the line in 22.77, and set a personal record in the long jump with a distance of 18 feet, 7.50 inches, according to athletic.net.
"My goal this year is to win an open event at states and significantly improve my current personal records," Kelley said.
Kelley was one of three McFarland athletes to win an event at their home meet to help the Spartans finish third behind Madison Memorial and meet winner Sun Prairie East.
Monona Grove's Calen Woerth shines in new role
Monona Grove's Calen Woerth set a personal record by winning the 100 in 11.33 at the recent Badger Challenge, according to athletic.net.
"While it might've been a shock to many there, for those of us who are around Cal every day, it wasn't," Monona Grove boys track coach Brian Jefferson said. "He ran well indoors before the Badger Challenge and has really started to come into his own this year as a student-athlete."Â
The junior plans to compete in the 100 and 200 this season after predominantly running the 400 the past two years.
Woerth also anchored Monona Grove's 400 and 1,600 relay teams that won at the Badger Challenge.
"Cal is a very coachable kid who understands the process and someone who can be competitive when lining up 100 to 400 meters simply because of his drive," Jefferson said.Â
Slight adjustment leads to win for Madison East's Arlo Rice
Madison East's Arlo Rice hit his knee on a couple hurdles during 110 hurdles prelims at the Bruce Fisher Invitational, which led to him being seeded second behind Baraboo's Elliott Romberg by .01 seconds entering the finals.Â
Rice said he adjusted his jumps clear each hurdle in the finals, which led a personal-best 15.55.
"My biggest goal of the season is making states in the 110 meter hurdles," Rice said.
Rice also won the invitational's 300 hurdles, setting another personal record in 43.60, according to athletic.net. He was the only Madison East athlete to secure an individual win at the meet.
"Felt like this meet helped me start off the season strong," Rice said. "And although there's room for improvement, I'm expecting big things."
Stoughton's Ethan Zywicki sets personal record
Ethan Zywicki is coming off a successful freshman campaign that culminated with a sixth-place finish in the 800 at the Oregon Regional last spring.Â
Stoughton coach Jason Becker said the sophomore distance runner already "has a veteran presence on the team."
Zywicki appeared more comfortable entering the Badger Challenge in Portage. It helped lead to Stoughton's lone boys win at the annual meet.
"I wasn't surprised in the least that he won the race last week and expect him to win many more throughout the season as he chases his goal of qualifying for the state meet," Becker said.
Madison Edgewood's Nick Gautreau successful in first outdoor meet
The Badger Challenge was the first outdoor meet for several Madison-area teams, including Madison Edgewood.Â
Nick Gautreau took advantage of the opportunity by winning the 3,200.Â
The senior crossed the line in 10:14.88. He also finished second in the 800 with a personal record of 2:04.82, according to athletic.net.
Vote for this week's supernova
Which performer was the most impressive this week? Here's how readers voted.Â
Photos: Day 1 of the 2023 WIAA state track and field meet