By Jane Palen
Managing Editor

Samantha Wermager took third place in the 100 meter hurdles at the state track meet last weekend, the best finish for the Caledonia/Spring Grove track program. Her time was 15.84. The winning time of 15.66 was turned in by Leslie Thomas of De La Salle in Minneapolis. Maggie May of Grand Meadow-LeRoy Ostrander was second at 15.79.

This was Wermagerís first trip to state, and she was only one of two sophomores to make it to the finals in the 100 hurdles.

Wermager, a sophomore, competed in the 300 meter hurdles as well, but did not make it to the finals.

Coach Paul Stevens said that he knew Wermager would improve on her section time in the 100 because she hit a hurdle in the finals, but still came in second.

"Samantha learned a lot this year and weíre looking at her to be very competitive next year," he said. She is the first runner to make it to state in a number of years, he said.

The girls 4 x 200 relay team came in fifth with a time of 1:47.46. Runners were Sarah Colleran, Megan King, Ashley King, and Molly Furlong. Colleran, a junior, has competed in the 4 x 200 since she was a seventh grader.

Eddie Hodges competed in the long jump in the boysí state track meet, and came in ninth with a jump of 20 ft. 3 in. He was the only sophomore to make the finals.

Looking to the future, Stevens said that he is fortunate to have many talented young people coming up.

"Itís a lot of fun, and it keep me young," he commented.