The Perham track and field team had a good showing at the Class A state track and field championship Friday, June 18, at St. Michael-Albertville High School, with the boys team placing third and Jakob McCleary winning the 800 meter title with a time of 1:56.92.
Before winning the 800 meter run, McCleary placed second in the 1,600 meter run with a time of 4:16.38. He also anchored the 4x400 meter relay team, which earned seventh place with a time of 3:34.65. About McCleary's performance, head coach Mike Peterson said, "Jakob had a great meet running the 1600 and had a very short rest and turned around and won the 800 title in dramatic fashion with a great kick," he said. "He topped it off with an awesome anchor leg on the 4x400 relay with Gabe Thompson, Gareth Covington, and Elijah Morris."
In the field events, Levi Richter placed second in the pole vault with a height of 13 feet 9 inches. According to Peterson, he started slow but finished fast, "showing a lot of guts and determination."
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For the girls team, Maya Richter and Danial Van Watermulen competed in the pole vault and Willow Thiel competed in the high jump. They didn't place in the tournament, but Peterson said they had a good showing nonetheless.
"Maya Richter and Danial Van Watermulen did a find job at their first state meet, with Danial tying her personal record and Maya just missing her PR in the pole vault," he said. "Willow Thiel looked strong in the high jump and was just two inches from tying her PR. It was a very hot day for the girls as they went in the afternoon, but they did a great job dealing with it while competing."
Peterson also acknowledged assistant coaches Ryan Beachy and Kay and Jeff Morris. "They did an awesome job at state preparing and coaching our teams."
