By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
Tim Crum of the Elkhorn Area High School boys track and field team did not advance out of the preliminary round at the WIAA Division 1 State Track and Field Championships at Veterans Stadium on the campus of UW-La Crosse.
Crum, a senior and the Elks’ only State qualifier, finished his heat in the 400-meter dash in 22nd place with a time of 52.41 seconds, and did not advance to the finals.
Madison West’s Jack Wellenstein won the state title in the 400 with a time of 47.82 seconds. The state meet took place June 5 and 6.
“Tim had an amazing senior year and an impressive four-year career for Elkhorn,” Elks track and field coach Steve Simonson said. “His dedication and determination to excel at an extremely high level were rewarded with his trip to the state meet. He ran a really solid race in his 400-meter heat at La Crosse.”
Crum qualified for the state meet after finishing second in the 400 May 29 at Janesville Parker High School in a WIAA Division 1 boys’ sectional track and field meet.
Crum finished in 51.06 seconds, which is the second-fastest time in the 400 in Elkhorn school history. The first three finishers in each event, from each sectional, advance to State in Division 1.
“Tim has set a standard that other members of our track program should aspire to match as they compete for the Elks,” Simonson said. “He was always willing to go the extra step to be successful, and we are always thrilled to see a great kid like Tim realize his dreams.”
In team standings, Bay Port won the Division 1 boys’ state title. Whitefish Bay won the girls’ Division 1 team title.
Dodgeville/Mineral Point won the Division 2 girls’ state and Freedom won the boys’ Division 2 state title. Cuba City won the girls’ Division 3 state title and Marathon won the boys’ Division 3 state title.
Blum receives honor
Elkhorn senior Haley Blum will represent Wisconsin June 13 at the 2015 Senior Spotlight All-Star Track and Field Meet at the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa.
Simonson said the Senior Spotlight, in its 17th season, highlights the best track and field athletes from throughout Wisconsin. Those from Wisconsin will compete against athletes from Iowa and Illinois.
Simonson said the team consists of athletes invited to compete by Team Wisconsin Coaches, and can be nominated by coaches and fans. Members of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association executive board pick the participants.
Blum is a four-year track and field letter winner at Elkhorn, and served as a Captain as a senior. Simonson said Blum’s main event is the 100 hurdles, in which she second in Elks’ history with a time of 16.03 seconds.
Blum medaled at the Southern Lakes Conference Track and Field meet in each of her four years at Elkhorn, and advanced to state as a sophomore.
