Panthers take 3rd behind Friedman’s top finishes

A week after capturing its invitational, the Oconto Falls High School boys track team was unable to repeat the performance Thursday at the 37th annual Peshtigo Invitational. Peshtigo (98.50) won the meet, one-half point ahead of Kewaunee. Oconto Falls (91) finished third. “We kept the same people in the same events, and we were only eight points from the winner,” Panthers coach Lon Ludemann said. “We did not have the same night that we had a week earlier when we won our invitational, but it was a no-brainer — Peshtigo won the event at home.” Senior Mike Friedman captured two first-place finishes, in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs, less than three seconds ahead of senior teammate Michael Fifield (2:08.07) in the 800 and more than 10 seconds ahead of Peshtigo’s Tyler Nault in the 1,600. Senior Jacob Yatso captured two second-place finishes, one in the 100, with a time of 12.15 seconds, and as the anchor leg of the 800 relay team (1:37.85) with Brett Markiewicz, Jared VanHaren and Dylan Kasper. Ludemann has been impressed with Yatso’s athleticism, considering he did not join the track team until last year. “He e actually started in golf last year, but he decided to join us two to three weeks into last season,” Ludemann said. Junior Sam Fletcher took second place in the long jump at 19 feet, 1 inch. Peshtigo Invitational Team scores: 1. Peshtigo, 98.50; 2. Kewaunee, 98; 3. Oconto Falls, 91; 4. Menominee (Michigan), 88; 5. Marinette, 71; 6. Coleman, 68; 7. Crivitz, 65; 8. Gillett, 54.50; 9. Menominee Indian, 34; 10. Oconto, 28; 11. Lena/STAA, 3; 12. Wabeno, 2. Oconto Falls (top-three finishes): 4x800-meter relay - 3. Oconto Falls (Luke Vrooman, Matt Vervelde, Liam Spillane, Michael Fifield), 9:01.36. 100 - 2. Jacob Yatso, 12.15. 1,600 - 1. Mike Friedman, 4:43. 4x200 relay - 2. Oconto Falls (Brett Markiewicz, Jared VanHaren, Dylan Kasper, Jacob Yatso), 1:37.85. 800 - 1. Mike Friedman, 2:05.71; 2. Michael Fifield, 2:08.07. 4x400 relay - 3. Oconto Falls (Luke Vrooman, Mike Friedman, Aaron Kurth, Michael Fifield), 3:37.20. Long jump, 2. Sam Fletcher, 19-01.00.