Thompson takes second at WIAA finals

La CROSSE, Wis. - Sydney Thompson saved her best for last Saturday.

The Mercer sophomore's final attempt in the discus went 120 feet, 11 inches, which was good for second overall in the WIAA Division 3 state track-and-field meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

"My coach just said, 'You really have to go for it, just the extra 10 feet will make it,'"Thompson said. "I ended up getting another foot off my personal best in prelims. It was very exciting. I knew that was the one."

That came a day after Thompson finished third overall in the shot put.

Not bad for a sophomore. Not bad for anyone.

"My goal (Friday) was I want to get one step higher, just one step," Thompson said. "And I acheived it. It was amazing."

Mercer coach Bob Schenk was worried coming into Saturday's discus event.

"She got her medal yesterday, is she going to be satisfied?" Schenk said. "That's the highest a girl has ever gotten at Mercer at state track. We've had six boys state champions, but no girls.

"She's got two years to move up a step. I know she's going to work hard because that's the kind of person she is."

Reedsvllle's Chloe Eckstein dominated the discus event, winning with a mark of 125-5, she had three throws that were better than Thompson's best. The good news for Thompson and everyone else? Eckstein was one of six seniors in the event.

"She had a good series, Sydney had a good series, too," Schenk said.

Marion's Cassidy Detert was the top seed, but she finished fourth with a mark of 116-1. She struggled all morning with getting it to land in bounds.

The weather was absolutely perfect for a huge crowd on championship Saturday - warm and sunny.

"I wish we had some weather like this once and awhile," Schenk said. "I was going to get some shaved ice and put it in the circle so we could be used to it. When kids get to compete in warm weather all the time, the performances are going to be better.

But...

"It's what happens today that matters," Schenk said.

That was no problem for Thompson.