Coombe, Juhnke & Schellig Earn All-State Track & Field Honors

The Joliet J-Hawks wrapped up their 2024 Track & Field season Saturday. It was a bit of a tumultuous season of ups and downs, but they persevered and set a slew of personal records along the way.

Junior Kaden Juhnke was the first J-Hawk to compete at the MHSA Class A/B State Meet Friday. It was a competitive back and forth between the top 4 finishers. Juhnke ultimately placed 3rd with a personal record throw of 171'1'. Coach Nathan Oren said, "It has been so cool to watch his growth this season. I can't wait to see where he takes it next year."

Juhnke also qualified in 4 other events for the state meet: 200m dash, long jump, triple jump and the 4x100m relay.

The boys 4x100m relay team was the next to compete. To make finals a team has to be top 4 in their heat or have the second best time. Even though they set a new season record of 45.53, they had the third best time, just barely missing finals.

Freshman Kevin Sharpe competed in pole vault midday Friday, tying his season record of 11'6". He placed 11th at state and finished the season as the 2nd ranked Class B Freshman. He's proud of his performance this season and afterward stated, "I'm just so happy to be here."

Freshman Mason McQuillan competed in the 100m prelims and placed 19th overall, and the top Freshman, with an 11.86. His fastest time of the season came at the Freshman meet at the beginning of May, that time places him tied for 2nd out of all the 9th graders in the state of Montana, all classes.

Junior Cori Coombe continued her dominance in the track and field world with a 2nd place finish in the 100m, and two 4th place finishes in the 200m and Triple Jump. She set a new personal record of 26.09 in the 200m.

Sophomore Auston Schellig had a busy weekend, racing the 1600m Friday, and the 800m, 3200m and anchor leg of the 4x400m Saturday. He podiumed in the 800m with a 5th place finish of 2:00.9. He placed 7th in both long distance events, setting new personal records of a 10:08.25 in the 3200m and a 4:33.98 in the 1600m. The 1600m time is just 1.78 seconds off the Joliet school record!

Juniors Brody Anderson and Aidon Songstad and Sophomores Gavin Thompson and Schellig competed in the 4x400m relay in the last event of the day. They ran a season best time of 3:37.55, for a 10th place finish. Sophomore Trey Bazaldua took on one of the hardest jobs in track, by standing by as the alternate. Ready to run at a moments notice if any relay team members were unable.