Aquinas’ Conzemius wins two state championships, runner-up in relay, while Central’s Fried gets gold and silver

Two high school track and field teams in La Crosse took third place over the weekend, while another finished fourth in the WIAA state meet at UW-La Crosse’s Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.

Led by a championship in the triple jump and a second-place finish in the long jump from junior Bennett Fried, the Central boys team finished state in third place in Division 1 — just a point away from second.

On the girls side, in Division 2, Logan tied for third overall, led by a 400-meter relay championship and a third-place finish in the 800 relay. Julie Yang, Aaliyah Hamiliton and Lauren Jarrett were on both teams. Kalli Knoble was part of the 400 relay, while Elsa Hirsch ran in the 800 for the Rangers.

Also in Division 2 on the boys side, Aquinas junior Collin Conzemius came away with two state championships and anchored a 400 relay team to a second-place finish.

Conzemius won both the 100 and 200 dashes, and teamed up with David Malin, Jackson Flottmeyer and Quinn Miskowski in the relay.

That helped the Blugolds finish tied for fourth as a team.

Also finishing in the Top 3 in individual events was the Central boys 400 relay, which was .21 seconds away from a championship. That team consisted of Jackson Warren, Bennett Fried, Cole Lapp and Isaac Dauffenbach.

Taking third in the shot put was Logan senior Martell Owens with a 52-foot, 9.75-inch mark. He edged out senior teammate Zay Boyd, who finished fourth (51-10.75).

No attendance was listed by the WIAA. Headed into the meet, the WIAA said the meet averaged 21,000 fans the five years prior to the pandemic.