“There’s a lot of kids out there that want it,” said Schiltz. “I believe every person has the ability. It’s just who wants it the most and who’s willing to work for it.”
Schiltz’s first state medal came Friday, in the 3200.
“That was kind of my sweet revenge,” he said. “Because last year I placed 14th. I wanted to come out and show what I could do.”
He knew he was in fast company when he found himself standing next to the defending state champion at the starting line.
“I think I ran a little too much on the outside to do any real damage,” he said.
Still, he was was pleased with eighth place and his time of 9:53.33, which broke his own school record.
The 1600 Saturday evening was a logjam for most of the race.
“I knew an inside position would be ideal, so I hugged the inside of the track as much as possible,” said Schiltz. “I didn’t want to make the same mistake I made last year in the 3200 and get boxed in.”
Schiltz finished in 4:28.18, less than a second away from fourth place. Waseca’s Shane Streich won it in 4:17.32, followed closely by St. Cloud Cathedral’s Nick Golebioswki in 4:17.52.
Considering the weather conditions this spring, Schiltz said he was pleased with the way the season went.
“Overall, on the season, I’m very happy,” he said.
NRHEG’s other state qualifier, Carlie Wagner, did not get the opportunity to defend her state championship in the high jump. She sat out with a knee injury. The winning height was 5-6, the same as Wagner’s first-place mark last spring.
