Park Wins 3rd State Championship in Four Years

On June 5th and 6th, Park garnered its third Division I State Track Championship in the past four years. Previous state titles were in 1997 and 1998.

In stark contrast to the other state titles, which we won with great team depth, this year we had unbelievable front line strength. We had three individual state champions and three second place finishers. Our point total was 55, the largest number of points that a Park team has ever scored at the state level.

The place winners were as follows:

100 meters Patrick Hunter 1st - 11.06 (10.81 trials)
1600 Meters Ben Gregory 2nd - 4:15.77
800 Meters BenGregory 1st - 1:55.41
800 meters Aleks Milicevic 2nd - 1:55.46
200 Meters Patrick Hunter 1st - 21.72 (21.67 trials)
High Jump Nick Davis 2nd - 6' 7"
Triple Jump Nick Davis 8th - 43' 8"

On Friday, Nick Davis got us off to a great start by placing 2nd in the High Jump. In a high pressure situation, Nick Davis jumped 6' 7" to match his personal best performance. He had three great attempts at 6' 8" and just nicked the bar off on his last attempt.

Ben Gregory ran a tremendous 1600 meters placing 2nd, with a personal best and school record setting time of 4:15.77. He was just nipped at the finish.

Patrick Hunter easily qualified for the finals in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes and then Ben and Aleks Milicevic qualified for a 800 meter final that was to be one of the more memorable finals in state meet history.

At the end of day one we had done exactly what we felt we had to do to have a chance at another state title. We had felt that we needed to score 14 to 16 points and we scored 16.

Patrick Hunter started Saturday in ideal fashion by winning the 100 meters going away. He got an average start but accelerated at about 40 meters and the rest is history.

Nick Davis supplied us with needed points by placing 8th in the triple jump.

The stage was set. After the completion of the triple jump we had scored 27 points, a great point total but we had several teams who were perilously close. We figured that we needed to score 14 points in the 800 meters and then have Patrick win the 200 meters.

Ben and Aleks started the race out conservatively running near the front of the pack for the first lap but never leading the race. At 500 meters, Ben made a move closely followed by Aleks. With 200 to go Ben took the lead and much to our joy, Aleks went right with him. With 100 meters to go they began pulling away from the field and it was clear that they were going to place an unprecedented 1st and 2nd.

There was pandemonium in the stands on the backstretch. Athletes were jumping on coaches, coaches were hugging each other, people were screaming, "look at the Park kids, look at the Park kids". All that had to happen now was to have one of our most consistent athletes do what he had don all season........win his race.

Ever since the first invitational of the year Patrick Hunter was undefeated in the 200 meters. He just needed to run his normal race and we would be state champions. He didn't disappoint. Patrick ran a great curve and with 100 meters to go, it was clear that he was going to be a double state champion. It was also very clear that with his performance, we were again going to win the State Track title.

The competition at the 2000 State Meet was tremendous with seven teams scoring more than 30 points. We had to be at our absolute best to beat an excellent Oshkosh North team that scored 50. That was the hallmark of this year's team. In a pressure situation, our athletes in, most cases, had their beast performances of the year. It has been a pleasure to coach and be associated with these young men 2000

State Meet Qualifiers

100 Meters - Patrick Hunter
200 Meters - Patrick Hunter
800 Meters - Ben Gregory, Aleks Milicevic
1600 Meters - Ben Gregory
200 Meters - Patrick Hunter
1600 Meter Relay - Cory Amlong, Eric Dyer, Jermaine Sorenson, Patrick Hunter, Aleks Milicevic, Ben Gregory
High Jump - Nick Davis
Triple Jump - Nick Davis

Track Honor Roll is Back
We will again be hosting the Boys' Track State Honor Roll on this web site. Check back with us after March 5th for updates.

WISTCA Clinic
The Wisconsin Track Coaches Association is hosting its' 12th annual clinic. Check out the WISTCA link for more information.

Nick Davis Inducted into Hall of Fame
Nick Davis has bee inducted into the Park Track Hall of Fame Please click on the Hall of Fame link to view his and other athletes bios.

Year 2001 Schedule
The 2001 Schedule is ready for viewing. Pick up a copy by visiting the schedule page.