By Andrew Horschak
Sports Correspondent
Leah Joslyn’s annual trip to La Crosse for the WIAA State Track and Field Meet was just as productive as ever.
The Burlington senior, a four-time participant in the spectacle at Veterans Memorial Stadium, finished in second place in all four of her events in the two-day meet on Friday and Saturday, June 2-3.
All told, in four state meet appearances, the decorated wheelchair athlete collected one gold medal and 12 silver medals.
Just like the year before, Joslyn finished as the runner-up in the 100 meters (28.83 seconds), 400 meters (1:45.17), 800 meters (3:45.34) and shot put (10 feet, 3 inches).
Madison La Follette freshman Audrey Kleiss-Garcia was the top finisher in all four events. She set state records in the 100 (23.46) and 400 (1:20.02) and had equally impressive performances in the 800 (2:50.85) and shot put (13-5.5). As a result, Madison La Follette topped Burlington for first place in the team standings, 40-32. Chippewa Falls was third with 24 points.
Born with spina bifida, Joslyn is no different from other top-notch athletes who are able to cut their times after dedicated practice and training.
For example, as a freshman, she completed the 100 in 37.39 seconds and won the shot put with a toss of 9-2. As a sophomore, her first state 400 time was 2:04.57, while she clocked a 3:53.87 in her first state 800 last year.
Burlington’s only other state qualifier was Emily Ustianowski in the pole vault, but the senior was one of nine competitors to miss her three attempts at the opening height of 10-6.
Daily Albino of New Berlin West cleared a season-best 12-6 to claim top honors. Her sister, Rayce, was a two-time state champion in 2013 and 2015.
Ustianowski, a first-time state qualifier who won the regional at 10-0 and recorded the same height at the sectional, is now a member of the growing club of Burlington vaulters to compete at state.
In the last 10 years, Stefanie Weber (2008-10), Sarah Sima (2008-10), Audra Weis (2011-13) and Brittany Ehlen (2014-15) have all represented the Demons in the event in La Crosse.
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