Rosenau defends javelin title

BISMARCK — Sierra Rosenau didn’t do anything record-breaking at the Class B state track and field meet on Friday.

She didn’t really care, either.

The Carrington High School senior wasn’t able to reach her goal of breaking the state record in the javelin, but she still won the event for the second straight year with a throw of 137 feet, 7 inches at the Bismarck Community Bowl.

“It wasn’t my personal best, but first place is good enough for me,” Rosenau said. “My dream was to beat the state record. I actually beat it earlier this year, but you have to throw it at the state meet. I’d love to throw it at the state meet, but getting first is a big goal of mine too.”

The Cardinals did well in the event, as sophomore Kayla Hochhalter finished second with a 135-5 to give Carrington 18 team points. It has a significant lead in the overall standings with 29 points.

“We expect to win it all,” Rosenau said. “We have a good chance. The field events are a big part of that this year, so I’m glad to be a part of the field events.”

Even without the state record (143-2 by Bottineau’s Sara Neubauer in 2006, Rosenau said she’s happy with how she’s done. She also finished eighth in the shot put (36-4), and said having Hochhalter helped push her.

“Winning it last year was awesome,” Rosenau said. “Coming back this year with the second-best thrower on my team; we competed against each other all year, so that’s fun to have.”

Maple Valley-Enderlin sophomore Kelsey Laufenberg finished second in the shot put, one spot ahead of Hochhalter. Laufenberg was hoping to at least throw her personal best of 42-8, which would have given her first place.

Instead, she finished with a 40-10, right behind repeat champion Olivia Johnson of Richland and her 42-3.

“I wish I would have done better,” Laufenberg said. “I’m not quite happy, but I’ve got two more years, so it’s all right.”

Lisbon’s 38 points lead the overall after the first day of Class B boys action, on the shoulders of Nick Anderson. The senior leaper was seeded third in the triple jump, but won the event with a jump of 44-10.75. His previous best was 43-4.

“I’ve actually always peaked at the state meet the last three years I’ve been here,” Anderson said. “I don’t know what it is about this track. I always feel at home here.”

Anderson said he didn’t try as hard to beat his winning jump after he secured it, so he could save himself for the high jump, which didn’t quite go as planned. He was top-seeded, but finished second with a mark of 6-4. Winner Stephen Kristy of Hettinger-Scranton also jumped a 6-4, but owned the tiebreaker. Scott Burnham of Carrington finished third with a 6-3.

Lisbon also got a runner-up finish from senior Tanner Doll in the shot put with a 50-1.5.

Because of the impending weather set to hit Bismarck today, the Class B pole vault competitions were moved to Friday and took place after the Class A pole vaults. The boys didn’t start until 6:30 p.m. with the girls immediately following.

Tags: class b, sports, track