Finishing strong: Packer seniors make their last home meet count
Published 10:10 pm Monday, May 12, 2025
Austin’s Alexcia Austin runs in the 400-meter dash. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Thomas Asmus runs at Larry Gilbertson Track and Field Monday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Jackson Hilkin runs in the 400-meter dash for the Packers. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Callie McRae closes in on a hurdle during the 100-meter hurdles race. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
From left, Austin’s Sydney Lewis and Marissa Shute run in tandem at Larry Gilbertson Track and Field Monday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Addison Walsh runs in the 400-meter run. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Carter Holt chases after the pack. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
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One Austin senior was putting the finishing touches on an outstanding run with the Packer track and field team, and another was trying to put together a strong finish after a major setback, as the Packer girls and boys both finished in second place in a home triangular at Larry Gilbertson Track and Field Monday.
Austin senior Laura Bekaert missed the first six weeks of the season with an ACL sprain she sustained in the first week of practice, and although she’s still not back to full strength, she was able to take first in shot put with a distance of 34-feet, 9-inches and first in discus with a distance of 109 feet.
Bekaert said this season has been an emotional journey that has forced her to try to keep a positive mindset, even when things are tough.
“It’s been a lot; going to physical therapy twice a week and having to try to basically relearn everything has been stressful. But I’m glad to be back,” Bekaert said. “I definitely wish I was 100 percent back, but it’s going OK for what it has been.”
Austin senior Marissa Shute took second in the 800-meter run and fourth in the 1600-meter run in her final competition at Larry Gilbertson Track and Field.
“I haven’t felt it yet that it’s my last season, but I know my time is ticking down,” Shute said. “With every meet I have, I just go out and give it my all every day. I push myself and I have my teammates there to push me also.”
Shute is proud to be leaving the distance running group with some talented athletes as sophomore Brooke Fisch won the 3200-meter run and sophomore Sydney Lewis was third in the 800-meter run.
“We have a lot of young runners who are very good teammates and very good people,” Shute said. “They’re definitely my life long friends and it’s going to be great to see what they can accomplish after I leave.”
Austin senior Isaiah Cabeen had a strong final home meet for the Packer boys as he won the 300-meter hurdles and took third in triple jump
AUSTIN BOYS RESULTS
Team standings: 1. Rochester Mayo 81; 2. Albert Lea 60.5; 2. Austin 60.5
110-meter hurdles: Triumph Ogbeide (first, 15.35)
100-meter dash: Eric Blust (fourth, 11.85); Mohammed Kamara (fifth, 11.88)
4 x 200-meter relay: Isaiah Cabeen, Colton Qualey, Triumph Ogbeide, Carter Holt (second, 1:35.54)
1600-meter run: Jude Hovland (fourth, 5:27.85)
400-meter dash: Jackson Hilkin (fourth, 54.29)
300-meter hurdles: Isaiah Cabeen (first, 44.25)
800-meter run: Thomas Asmus (third, 2:08.68); Ian Johnson (fifth, 2:19.14)
200-meter dash: Carter Holt (fifth, 23.78)
4 x 400-meter relay: Jefferson Gibson, Noah Elizo, Ian Johnson, Cayden Jurgensen (first, 3:45.75)
Long jump: Triumph Ogbeide (second, 20-6.50); Jefferson Gibson (third, 19-11)
Triple jump: Isaiah Cabeen (third, 40-0); Colton Qualey (fifth, 36-3)
High jump: Triumph Ogbeide (first, 6-1); Carter Holt (third, 5-8)
Pole vault: Colton Qualey (fifth, 9-
Shot put: Aiden Sehon (fifth, 39-1); Henry Andersen (sixth, 38-5)
Discus: Henry Andersen (second, 119-2); Aiden Sehon (fourth, 113-10)
100-meter wheelchair: Aidan Falcon (first, 35.53)
800-meter wheelchair: Aidan Falcon (first, 4:15.11)
Shot put wheelchair: Aidan Falcon (first, 17-1)
Discus wheelchair: Aidan Falcon (first, 42-3)
AUSTIN GIRLS RESULTS
Team standings: 1. Rochester Mayo 82; 2. Austin 67; 3. Albert Lea 37
100-meter hurdles: Chok Bol (second, 16.26); Praise Ogbeide (third, 16.73)
100-meter dash: Juliette Zimmerli (sixth, 13.84)
1600-meter run: Marissa Shute (fourth, 6:35.32)
400-meter dash: Juliette Zimmerli (third, 1:08.09)
300-meter hurdles: Callie McRae (first, 52.82); Chok Bol (second, 55.39)
800-meter run: Marissa Shute (second, 2:32.38); Sydney Lewis (third, 2:33.67)
200-meter dash: Praise Ogbeide (sixth, 28.71); Addison Walsh (eighth, 29.06)
3200-meter run: Brooke Fisch (first, 12:50.12)
4 x 200-meter relay: Juliette Zimmerli, Praise Ogbeide, Callie McRae, Addison Walsh (second, 1:53.71)
Long jump: Addison Walsh (second, 14-5.50); Isabella Bolster (fourth, 14-4)
Triple jump: Awille Okey (first, 33-2.50): Elaine Chumba (second, 32-11.25)
High jump: Praise Ogbeide (first, 5-0); Isabella Bolster (second, 4-10)
Pole vault: Callie McRae (fifth, 7-0)
Shot put: Laura Bekaert (first, 34-9)
Discus: Laura Bekaert (first, 109)
