Preps Agenda’s Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Denmark’s Leah Kralovetz
Leah Kralovetz came to La Crosse for two things.
After capturing the pair of WIAA state championships she was chasing, the Denmark senior got to enjoy the taste of victory by celebrating with a couple scoops of ice cream at The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor.
“She gave up ice cream during the season,” said Kralovetz’s mom, Debbie. “This was our first stop.”
Kralovetz wasn’t going to be stopped this season in her pursuit of winning Division 2 state titles for the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs in only her second year in the sport.
For her efforts, Kralovetz is PrepsAgenda.com’s Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year.
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“I still can’t believe that only a couple of years ago all of this started,” Kralovetz said. “It’s just been a crazy ride. It’s been a lot of fun and a lot of memories, so many great people.”
Following a pair of state runner-up finishes as a junior, Kralovetz worked her way past Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau’s Dana Feyen to win the state titles.
Kralovetz completed the trifecta in doing so, adding her track state titles to the one she captured for cross-country.
The University of Iowa recruit not only reached the top of the podium, but she accomplished her time goal of breaking a 5-minute mile by completing the 1,600 in a blazing time of 4 minutes, 56.84 seconds to reset her school record again.
“I knew I had it in me, and I could keep going through,” Kralovetz said. “I saw the time, and that was the goal, to break 5 and I knew that I did. I was really happy.”
Kralovetz followed it up with a winning time of 10:38.12 in the 3,200 on the second day of the WIAA state track and field championships.
“I just knew she was ready when I gave her a final hug and good luck,” said Denmark distance coach Terry Wetzel, who encouraged Kralovetz to try distance running a couple years ago.
Kralovetz said having her entire family in La Crosse to witness her championship moments meant a lot. Her oldest brother, Cory, truly went the distance for it, flying in from Alaska.
For the final time in her prep career, she was greeted by her other older brother, Travis, with a ‘Yes’ chant and hug.
“I’ve been so blessed,” Kralovetz said. “Running here with everyone here supporting me has been great.”
Final 2019 Track & Field Honor Roll
Girls Relay of the Year: Pulaski’s 400- and 800-meter relays
The junior quartet of Kayla Lipsey, Gianna Kornaus, Leighann Binkowski and Maddy Karcz led the area honor roll for both relays. The Red Raiders won FRCC and WIAA Division 1 regional titles before advancing to the state finals in both relays. The 800 relay produced a fifth-place finish with a time of 1:43.80.
Girls Coach of the Year: Green Bay West’s Mari Tomita
The Wildcats have come a long way during Tomita’s tenure and that continued this season. West won the Green Bay City Meet title during the outdoor season and crowned Bay Conference champions in four events in addition to having sectional qualifiers in seven events. Senior Maria Hunter led the Green Bay area with a 200-meter dash time of 26.24 seconds.
Girls Assistant Coach of the Year: De Pere’s Ryan Fabry
Seniors Olivia Fabry and Grace Kowalkowski finished first and third, respectively, in the WIAA Division 1 girls pole vault. They finish their careers with a combined eight state appearances and seven state medals.