Frederick making fourth straight state trip
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
For the Catholic Central track squads, strength is in numbers.
Relay races in track and field take an extra bit of teamwork, chemistry and timing.
All things the Toppers have perfected, as five relay squads will represent the team at this weekend’s state track and field meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
In total, eight girls and six boys will compete in front of the magical spectacle of state track, which can include thousands of screaming fans at any given event.
In the Division 3 Princeton Sectional last Friday, the relay squad of Monica Litman, Kelly Aldrich, Shelby Frederick and Brianna Martin shined brightest, qualifying for state in the 400 and 800 relays.
Also, the 1,600 relay team of Cassie Reesman, Kathleen Straube, Frederick and Alexis Reesman won the sectional title.
The Reesman girls, Straube and Kourtney Mulhollon also qualified in the 3,200 relay.
Litman also took second in the 100 dash and will compete in the event at state.
For the boys, Hertel Novasic will represent the Toppers in two events, the 800 meter run and the 400 relay, along with Cole Kresken, Jake LaForest, Gavin Foote and Zach Frederick.
Sam Joski is the team’s lone distance runner (1,600).
The boys team’s success didn’t come without a price.
Junior Tyler Burzawa, who had already qualified for state in the 200 and the 800 relay, was just about to wrap up his day in the 1,600 relay.
But during the final 100 meters, Burzawa suffered a devastating ruptured Achilles injury.
The unfortunate injury means the Toppers won’t be competing in the 800 relay, even though they qualified in the event.
“Our kids work hard all year,” said coach Keith Mulhollon. “They are very goal-oriented and are given the tools and knowledge to compete at a high level.”
This is prime time for the Toppers, who don’t put much emphasis on the regular season. Tournament time is the time to leave it all on the track.
“We focus on tournament time, getting ready and competing well at state is our main focus of the year,” Mulhollon said.
Shelby Frederick is making her fourth straight trip to state track. She is the team’s lone senior, and she has competed in 11 state events in her previous three seasons.
Mulhollon said his athletes have state experience, and they should do well at state.
“We have many athletes returning again this year, along with some newcomers,” Mulhollon said. “We expect to compete well in all events.”
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