Post Messenger Recorder -

On Tuesday, June 7th, the Sugar River Raiders Track and Field Program came together one last time to wrap up their season. There were team records broken, Invitationals won, and many personal bests set this year. With 83 athletes finishing out the season the program is in good hands, despite saying goodbye to eight fantastic seniors.

Success came early for the boys program as they won the Tri-State Small school invitational at UW-Platteville. That win was a sign of things to come as throughout the season, the boys ended up winning the Doug Lee Memorial Invite in Fall River, then the Deerfield Classic, as well as the Raider Invite. The girls did well also, by winning the Doug Lee Memorial, Deerfield Classic and came in 2nd at their own Raider Invite. In Conference competition, the girls won the Southern Dual Conference Championship and the boys shared the title with Marshall. When in the combined North and South Capital Conference, the teams placed a respectable 4th for the girls and 5th for the boys.

Overall the Raiders had eight individuals who earned 2nd Team All-Conference honors (Addison Edge - 300 hurdles, Jack Erickson - 300 hurdles, Carter Scholey - 1600m run, Alora Spiegel - 1600m run, Herioli Fraire - 100m dash, Ava Foley - long jump, Ruthie Zuber - 3200m run, DJ Donnell - 200m dash). Five Raiders earned individual First Team honors while three relays were also on the First Team All-Conference team. Carter Scholey - 3200m run, Ava Foley - triple jump, Alex Atwell - 100 hurdles, high jump, Lawrence Vasquez - high jump, Jack Erickson/DeMarcus Conner/Adrix DeVoe/DJ Donnell - 4x200m relay, Herioli Fraire/Ava Foley/Alex Atwell/Grace Nommensen - 4x100m relay, and Dayna Karls/Lucy Melvin/Mazie Paradis/Camryn Arnett in the 4x800m relay.

Qualifying 15 athletes in seven different events for the State Meet in La Crosse was the most that the program had taken to compete in recent years. The girls scored a total of 8 points (Atwell 6th place in the 100 hurdles, Foley 8th in the triple jump and Herioli, Nommensen, Atwell and Foley 5th in the 4x100m relay. The lone point for the boys came from Vasquez placing 8th in the high jump.)

The team awards consist of Most Improved Player (MIP), Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Coaches Award. This year, the MIP went to senior Adrix DeVoe and junior Lucy Melvin. The MVP awards went to sophomores Jack Erickson and Carter Scholey for the boys. For the girls it was junior Alex Atwell and senior Ava Foley. Senior Paddy Samon and junior DJ Donnell, as well as junior Grace Nommensen took home the honor for the Coaches Awards.

Captains for this season were Ava Foley, Dayna Karls, Keatan Zimmerman, DJ Donnell, Adrix DeVoe, Thomas Nelson, Paddy Samon and Sutton Zimmerman.

Each year the north and south vote for Performers of the Year in their respective division and this year, the Raiders nominated Carter Scholey for the boys and Ava Foley for the girls. Carter finished 2nd behind Trey Colts from Cambridge and Ava Foley was named the Female Performer of the Year for the south.

Photo courtesy of Willy Johnson

Raiders Track 1st Team All-Conference Honorees Front Row (L-R): Carter Scholey, DJ Donnell, DeMarcus Conner, Jack Erickson, Adrix DeVoe. Back Row (L-R): Dayna Karls, Camryn Arnett, Mazie Paradis, Lucy Melvin, Alex Atwell, Grace Nommensen, Ava Foley, Herioli Fraire.

Despite losing such strong leadership and competitors in the senior class, the coaching staff is excited for those returning next season to pick up where this year's team left off. We are thankful for the opportunity to watch these seniors develop and grow in the form of athletes, but yet the outstanding people they have become. As you end this chapter of your life, a new one will begin as you start on your new journey. Thanks again Ava Foley, Dayna Karls, Karley Michels, Risandi Bartle, Adrix DeVoe, Jordan Wilder, Matthew Loshaw and Paddy Samon. You have made us all proud. Two Communities, Two Schools, One Team.

Athletes are reminded to return your uniforms to either Belleville or New Glarus High School offices as soon as possible. Run for Fun is on Mondays at the Belleville Sports Complex starting at 6:00 p.m. with registration, and 6:30 p.m. events. Informational packets regarding camps, clinics, track meets, strength and conditioning as well are also located in both offices.