Pulaski’s Linzmeier maintains consistent pace
Annika Linzmeier wasn’t going to come up short.
The Pulaski senior won her fourth Fox River Classic Conference title in the girls 3,200-meter run Tuesday in her last home meet at Saputo Stadium.
“It was nice to do in front of the home crowd,” Linzmeier said. “It was nice to put on a show for them.”
Linzmeier has been putting on a show for the Red Raiders throughout her decorated running career.
Her work ethic has resulted in a preferred walk-on opportunity with Michigan State University.
CONGRATS, Annika, on your Michigan State signing today! We are so very proud of you! 💚💚💚 pic.twitter.com/YCnfxwJjKM
— Running Raiders (@RunningRaiders) May 14, 2018
Linzmeier, who is the valedictorian of her class at Pulaski, wants to study kinesiology and psychology in college.
Keeping up her dominating pace in recent years has been a physical and mental struggle at times as she’s battled injuries.
After overcoming iliotibial band syndrome last year, Linzmeier was told over the winter that some of the stress in her legs she was experiencing stemmed from the fact that her left leg was longer than her right leg.
“There is a leg-length discrepancy,” Linzmeier said. “There is about two centimeters difference between my legs. The left one is longer, so that’s why I’ve been having all the problems.
Considering she is making eight trips around the track for her 3,200, the leg-length discrepancy hasn’t been easy to overcome.
But you wouldn’t have known that looking at her complete the four-peat at the FRCC meet. Linzmeier placed first by 18 seconds over Pulaski freshman Anna Balstad.
Linzmeier’s time of 11 minutes, 35.72 seconds ranks second in the Green Bay area and 20th in Division 1, according to the state honor roll compiled at Wisconsin Track Online.
“It’s mostly just pushing myself to make sure I’m staying on pace,” Linzmeier said. “But definitely mind games is more important than the physicality in these kinds of races. That’s why I like that as a career because it has been part of my life for so long.”
Stellar Senior: Pulaski’s Annika Linzmeier
After becoming a four-time WIAA state qualifier for cross-country last fall, Linzmeier will be aiming to make a fourth state run in the 3,200 at the big, red track in La Crosse to finish off her prep career.
Linzmeier finished in the top 30 at the state cross-country meet four times, including top 20 finishes the last three years. It was highlighted by medaling with a sixth-place finish in 2016.
She also reached the state podium for track and field in 2016 when she placed third with a time of 11:08.40 in the 3,200.
Linzmeier’s fourth FRCC title cemented her legacy as one of the Green Bay area’s most consistent runners.
“I think it shows progress,” Linzmeier said. “But also with all the injuries I’ve had, it shows keeping on track with what I’ve been trying to do over my four years.”