Coalers win state trophy and a 1st place medal

It was a good weekend for the Coaler track and field teams.
Coal City Middle School eighth grader Phil Larson is a state champion and set a new state record.
Larson cleared 11 feet, 7 inches in the pole vault at the Illinois Elementary School Association [IESA] State Track and Field Finals on Saturday. His vault is the new class 3A record.
It was a good weekend overall for the Coalers as the seventh grade boys team brought home the first-ever state trophy for the middle school as they finished in fourth place with 30.5 points.
Rylan DeMichele finished second in shot put with a throw of 40 feet 7.75 inches. In long jump, Maddox Meents placed third with a jump of 17 feet 7 inches and was 12th in high jump with a jump of 5 feet 1.75 inches. And, In the 110 hurdles, Jonah Michetich finished in fourth place with a time of 17.58
The 4x200 Relay comprised of Maddox Meents, Spencer Vaira, Frank Roehr, and Miguel Nunez finished fourth with a time of 1:48.32 taking a school record from 1989 held by Matt Powell, Vince Henerickson, Billy Brown, and Bryan Albrecht.
The 4x400 Relay of Maddox Meents, Jonah Micetich, Levi Marshall, Kenny Tazelaar also finished fourth with a time of 4:02.44, running their best time and improving on their own school record.
Spencer Vaira finished seventh in pole vault with a jump of 8.5 feet 5 inches, and Jonah Micetich ended the weekend in 13th place with a jump of 7 feet 5.75 inches.
In the 800, Nick Pfeifer finished 10th with a time of 2:20.86 breaking a 41 year old school record that was previously held by Phil Abraham with a time 2.22.52 set in 1983.
The 4x100 Relay of Levi Marshall, Jonah Micetich, Alex Duran, Kenny Tazelaar finished 10th with a time of 51.47.
In the 400, Levi Marshall finished 13th with a time of 58.79 and Kenny Tazelaar posted a 19th finish with a run time of 59.47.
In the high jump, Frank Roehr finished 18th with a jump of 4 feet 9.75 inches, and in discus, Kiptyn Dearth finished 22nd with a throw of 72 feet 7 inches.
"We would like to congratulate and thank the state qualifiers on a great weekend. They all did so well competing and representing our school," the coaches said.
The eighth grade boys finished the meet with 10 points placing 20th overall.
The 4x200 Relay team of Rylan Clements, Tyce Farrell, Gage Kraus and Leriyahn Hunter finished 15th with a time of 1:43.76
Coal City's seventh grade girls team finished 35th overall.
Marina Figge claimed fifth place in long jump jumping 4.65 meters or 15'3 1⁄4 inches. She was 11th in the 100 with a time of 13.32 and 12th in the 200 with a time of 27.84.
Jalyn Hogan finished 11th in shot put with a throw of 7.62 meters and Kinsley Novak finished 20th in long jump.
"We would also like to thank all the students that came down to support the team. We wish all the qualifiers and the rest of the track team the best of luck and are looking forward to next year. Great season everyone," the coaches stated.
The team is coached by Corey Mikula, Ashley Matsko, Tommy Fatigante and Chad Larson.