Merrill’s Track and Field Team makes steady improvements, ends season with personal records

Throughout the 2025 spring season, the Merrill Bluejays Track and Field Team continued to make steady improvements, with athletes growing stronger, running faster, jumping further and higher, and throwing further as the weeks progressed. In the end, with a crew of athletes going as far as Sectionals, many of these athletes ended the season on all-time highs, continuing to exceed their own personal-best records from the weeks prior.

Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) Meets

“The Merrill Bluejays Track and Field Team put on a stellar performance at their meets on Tuesday, May 6, 2025,” said Alec Oestreich, Merrill Track and Field Head Coach.
The girls were competing in the WVC True Team Meet, while the boys competed in the WVC Relay Meet. The events gave Merrill athletes the opportunity to showcase individual achievements along with strong teamwork in the relay events, he said.
“At the girls True Team Meet, leading the charge for the Bluejay girls’ sprint squad, Hannah Klinger completed the 100m dash, sprinting to a fantastic time of 14.03 seconds, marking a new season best,” Oestreich said.

In the long-distance events, “Caroline Durbin demonstrated remarkable stamina and determination in the demanding 1500-meter run, crossing the finish line with a commendable time of 5:53.59,” he said. “Karlee Ravn also contributed with a solid effort in the 600-meter run, clocking in at 2:02.66.”
“The girls’ 4x100m relay team (Jaz Severt, Takiyah Sell, Hannah Klinger, and Maddie Robbins) showcased their speed and seamless handoffs, achieving a season best time of 55.27. The girls’ 4x400m relay team (Jaz Severt, Mia Smith, Hannah Rell, and Lauren Zuelsdorff) battled hard and secured a well-deserved third place with a time of 4:26.36.”
“In the field events, Merin Yates continued to impress in the discus, launching the implement an impressive 100’ 6” to earn a strong fourth place finish.”
And “Brenna Jirovec tackled the technical 200-meter hurdles with grit and determination, finishing her race in 32.98,” Oestreich said.
The Bluejay boys also contributed strong performances at the WVC Relay Meet. “Freshman Broc Suchocki took on the 300m hurdles, finishing in 47.93 seconds and securing 13th place,” he said. “In the triple jump, Jayden Chase scored an impressive leap of 38’ 11.75” to earn a solid 7th place.”

City Meet at Wausau East

On Tuesday, May 13, Merrill athletes competed against multiple teams in the City Meet at Wausau East. Five other teams—from Mosinee, DC Everest, Newman, Northland Lutheran, and Wausau West—came to compete.
Merrill’s all-stars from this event included a third place finish in the 400m dash by Tyler Spade with a time of 53.86, and Patric Metz set a new personal best in the 200m dash with a time of 25.09.
Two of Merrill’s relay teams made third place finishes in their events. The 4x100m relay team of Hannah Klinger, Jaz Severt, Hannah Rell, and Maddie Robbins came in third with a time of 53.81, and the 4x400m relay team of Jaz Severt, Mia Smith, Hannah Rell, and Lauren Zuelsdorff came in third with a time of 4:23.16.
“Our girls sprint relays continue to cut time and compete at a high level,” Oestreich said after the meet. “We have a solid sprint core of girls along with a handful of guys that are continuing to improve on their season marks.”

Regional Meet in Bloomer

At the Regional Meet in Bloomer on Tuesday, May 27, Merrill’s Track and Field Team made a good showing. At the end of the event, a crew of Merrill athletes had qualified for Sectionals.
Merin Yates took first place in the shot put with a throw of 31’ 2.75” and third place in discus with a throw of 99’ 10”.
Brenna Jirovec took third place in the 100m hurdles with a time of 18.10 and fourth place in the 300m hurdles with a time of 51.86.
Three of Merrill’s relay teams took third place in three different events: The 4x100-meter relay team of Jaz Severt, Hannah Klinger, Hannah Rell, and Maddie Robbins took third place with a time of 53.9. The 4x200-meter relay team of Jaz Severt, Maddie Robbins, Mia Smith, and Lauren Zuelsdorff took third place with a time of 1:52.45. And the 4x400-meter relay team of Jaz Severt, Mia Smith, Hannah Rell, and Lauren Zuelsdorff took third place with a time of 4:21.65.

Jax Hanson placed third in the shot put with a distance of 41’ 4.25” while Tyler Spade took fourth place in the 400m dash with a time of 53.63.
Maddie Robbins took fourth place in the pole vault with a height of 8’ 0”.
“Congratulations to the athletes advancing to our Sectional meet in Durand,” Oestreich said.

Sectional Meet in Durand

The Merrill Track and Field Team performed well at the Sectional Track and Field Meet in Durand on Friday, May 30, with many athletes setting personal records and running season-best times. They really gave it their all!

“Brenna Jirovec had a great night tackling the hurdles!” Oestreich said. She set a personal record in the 100m hurdles with a time of 17.9 and finished a nice 300m hurdle race to end her season.
“Jax Hanson showed his strength in the shot put tonight at Sectionals!” he said. “He threw two over 40’ to end the season and his high school career! Congrats, Jax!”
“Merin Yates had an incredible season filled with personal records!” Oestreich said. “30’+ in shot put and 97’ in discus at Sectionals to round off her high school career! Congrats, Merin!”
“Tyler Spade keeps hitting new personal records! A solid 400 race and another season-best 53.53! Congrats, Tyler!” he said.
“Maddie Robbins had two great attempts at her season personal record of 8’ 6”!” Oestreich said. “Congrats, Maddie, on a wonderful season and making it to Sectionals!”
Merrill’s girls relay teams have continued to impress with strong performances, and the Sectional meet had them finishing strong.
“The 4x100 relay team (Jaz Severt, Mia Smith, Hannah Klinger, and Maddie Robbins) brought the heat tonight!” Oestreich said. They had a season personal record of 53.36. “Congrats on an amazing year and a strong Sectional race!”
“The 4x200 relay team (Jaz Severt, Maddie Robbins, Mia Smith, and Lauren Zuelsdorff) continue to run their fastest times,” he said. “A new season best of 1:51.43 to round off the season at Sectionals!”
“What an incredible season, but man, WHAT A NIGHT!” Oestreich said. The 4x400 relay team of Jaz Severt, Mia Smith, Hannah Rell, and Lauren Zuelsdorff “just dropped 6 seconds from their season personal record and ran a 4:15.25!”
“All four girls ran season-best splits to win their heat!” he said. “Congrats Jaz, Mia, Hannah Rell, and Lauren on an amazing end to our Sectional meet and season!”