VanVooren, Rauch capture state titles to power Peshtigo
The Peshtigo boys recorded the best finish among any of the local teams at the WIAA state track and field meet this year.
The Bulldogs produced 34 points and a third-place finish in Division 2 behind Rice Lake (47) and Freedom (48½).
It was Peshtigo’s best finishing since a Class C runner-up finish in 1972.
“It means a lot,” Peshtigo senior Mitchell VanVooren said. “We have a good coaching staff and a good track community, and they are always there for us. We’re just happy to be here.”
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VanVooren made three trips to the state podium this year.
The Marquette University recruit won the 110-meter hurdles, placed third in the 300 hurdles and anchored his team’s 1,600 relay to a runner-up finish.
VanVooren finishes his prep career as the school-record holder in both hurdles. His best time in the 110 hurdles (14.51) came at regionals. He set the school record for the 300 hurdles with a time of 38.11 seconds in preliminaries at state.
“I didn’t come out as fast as I needed to,” VanVooren said about coming close to winning both hurdle events. “It was good competition, and I still took third, so I’m happy.”
Meanwhile, senior Max Rauch won the D2 pole vault title for a second straight season.
The Grand Valley State recruit became the Bulldogs’ first repeat champion since Gabe Wagoner won back-to-back state titles for the 400 in 2001 and 2002.
“We went through all my poles and that’s a good thing,” Rauch said. “It was a perfect day for pole vaulting.”
Rauch broke his school record in the pole vault by winning with a clearance of 14 feet, 9 inches. He came close on attempts at 15-2 to try and break the D2 state record.
“We came in with a lot of people, six events, for how small our school is,” Rauch said. “That’s pretty good for us. We’re excited for that.”
