Wisconsin High School Track and Field

Many of the top performers from the 2004 season will be returning to compete in 2005. For a complete accounting of the 2004 season (including wisconsintrackandfield's top-10 athletes for both boys and girls) order your copy of the Wisconsin High School Track and Field Yearbook.

The girls return seven 2004 list leaders to the 2005 season.

Jenny Soceka
Photo by Visual Image Photography

200 and 400 meter list leader and 2004 athlete of the year Joanna Schultz from Holmen and all-time best pole vaulter Jenny Soceka from Madison Memorial lead the girls returners.

Schultz is the two-time defeding WIAA D1 400 meter champion and she holds the second best 400 meter time ever. Joanna's 2004 list leader in the 200 meters (24.78) is also a top-10 mark.

Soceka's 12-10 vault last summer is the best ever by a Wisconsin prep. In addition her 14.70 time in the 100 meter high hurdles is a top-10 all-time mark.

Top returning distance runners include 800 meter list leader Megan Duwell from West Bend West. In the 1600 and 3200 meter races Michelle Corrigan, Pulaski senior, Alicia Pabich Waukesha North senior and Claire Maduza Shorewood junior are the top returners.

Milwaukee King senior Chavon Robinson is the top returning horizontal jumper. She led the 2004 triple jump list with a top-10 all-time mark of 38-10.75. She is also the top returning long jumper at 18-9.25. Hope Buehler (Sheboygan Falls senior) was also over 38 feet in the triple jump last season. In the long jump senior Heather Miller from Columbus (18-6) and junior Laura Goeser from Fond du Lac (18-4.5) also return.

James Groce (Milwaukee Riverside senior) led the 400 meters in 2004 with a 48.49 clocking and he is also the top 800 meter runner at 1:53.76.

Lance Kendricks
Photo by Visual Image Photography

The triple jump was filled with outstanding young jumpers in 2004. In fact, Olympic champion Kenny Harrison's all-time best leap of 52-4.5 could be in jeopardy this season. Lance Kendricks (Milwaukee Rufus King junior) made the 2nd longest jump of all-time last season with his 48-10.75 leap at the AAU Junior Olympics in August. Anthony Strong (Milwaukee Rufus King senior) was also over 48 feet. Over 47 feet last season were Victor Reynolds (Milwaukee Tech sophomore), Jim Liermann (Sussex Hamilton junior) and Dominique Johnson (Milwaukee Vincent senior).

Leading returning distance runners include 4:15.09 Chris Rombough (New London senior) who ran 4:15.93 and 9:12.80 in the 1600/3200 meter runs. Ryan Gasper (Fort Atkinson senior) hopes to stay healthy the entire 2005 season. In an injury shortened 2004 campaign Ryan ran 4:17.3 and 9:21.96. Ryan has already run a 4:19.68 mile this season indoors. Although technically not a returner from 2004 (he was only in 8th grade then), Andrew Perkins, Watertown freshman, has already made himself known this season as he set the national freshman class record for the indoor mile by running 4:21.20 (converts to 4:19.69 1600 meters) at a meet in Kenosha in February.

The list leaders in the shot and discus also return. Steve Marcelle (Green Bay Preble senior) led the shot last season with a 62-1 toss. Discus leader, Valders senior Sean Pruitt, threw a monster 191-10 at a summer meet in Madison.

Many 2004 Stars will Return to Action in 2005.