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Rouamba, Zemke win D2 state titles in triple jump, pole vault

LA CROSSE - Wyatt Rouamba is a fan of visualizing success.

The Xavier senior knew he had the capability to win the Division 2 triple jump at the WIAA state track and field meet June 5. And his confidence led to not only a state championship, but also setting a state record in the process.

Rouamba recorded a leap of 47 feet, 11.5 inches on his first attempt and cruised to the title. His jump beat the previous D2 record of 47-9.5 by Gavin Sargeant of Lodi, according to the WIAA program.

"We've been working up to this point in the season all year," Rouamba said. "So, I mean I knew I had to set the tone with the first jump so I just went out there and did what I do."

Xavier's Wyatt Rouamba competes in the Division 2 triple jump during the first day of the WIAA state track and field meet June 5 in La Crosse.

Rouamba held off Martin Luther's Elijah Watkins (44-0.5) and Lancaster's Taylor Williams (44-0.25) to secure the gold.

Rouamba said he treated the state meet like any other meet.

"It's another opportunity to jump," he said. "So I just went out there, calmed my nerves and asked God for some peace and forgiveness. And I went out there and jumped.

"I knew I had the capability ... My coach put me in a very good headspace with a lot of our drills. If we had a bad day of jumping, we talked it over. Once we hit regional, I was jumping 47. Once we hit state, I was like 'I think I can do this, I just have to believe in myself.'"

Winneconne's Trey Zemke clears 15 feet in the Division 2 pole vault during the first day of the WIAA state track and field meet June 5 at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex in La Crosse.

Winneconne's Zemke wins D2 pole vault

Winneconne senior Trey Zemke finished his track career on a high note, capturing the D2 boys pole vault title.

Zemke cleared 15-0 to win the gold over second-place Ayden Myers of Rhinelander (14-3) and Spencer Phelps of New Berlin West (14-0).

Zemke was the only competitor to clear 14-6 and then went for 15-0, clearing the bar on his third attempt.

It was a special moment for Zemke, who finished second last season in the event with a 14-6.

"Super satisfying," Zemke said of winning the title, "I've been trying to get that 15 and that bar all year. I got a PR last year and I knew coming in here I knew I could get the job done.

Winneconne's Trey Zemke celebrates clearing 15 feet in the WIAA Division 2 pole vault during the first day of WIAA state track and field meet June 5 at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex in La Crosse.

Zemke said competing solo and shooting for anything past 15 feet gave him "an adrenaline rush."

"I felt loose, light and I got up and over it," Zemke said of clearing 15-0. "Just clearing that bar made me ecstatic. The start of the year was rough. Indoor, I only cleared 13-6. I didn't have a full week of practice for a month. And I wasn't doing good. Middle of the season, got 14-6. Sectionals, 14-9. And here, 15-0. It all eventually paid off."

Samolinski leads podium finishers

The competitive fire that drives Winneconne's Hudson Samolinski wasn't going to allow the senior to mince his words regarding his second-place finish in the D2 discus.

Samolinski's throw of 173-10 wasn't enough to overtake Green Bay Notre Dame's Richie Flanigan, who won the title with a toss of 176-8.

"I just feel like I didn't really perform one of the best of my ability," Samolinski said. "I think I let nerves get to me a little bit more than I expected,. I mean, I've been (to state) two times before. But sometimes you can't really prepare for the amount of nerves you encounter."

For Flanigan, winning the title felt good against a respected opponent like Samolinski.

"Hudson's a great competitor," said Flanigan, a junior. "He's had my number – every meet this season. So it was good to finally come out on top on one. It was just amazing to compete against a great competitor. I mean Wisconsin throwers are some of the best in the country."

The two competitors have faced off most of the season in various meets and will do so again June 6 in the shot put.

"I'm excited," Samolinski said. "This season I enjoyed shot putting a little bit more than discus, so it's kind of like saving the best for last. I'm excited to get out there and throw again and leave my mark."

Said Flanigan: "I'm just going to take everything one step at a time. (Hudson) is a great thrower and there's a ton of other great shot putters as well. There's like three, four, throwing over 57, which is just crazy."

Smith second in D2 girls shot put: Ayden Smith of New London had a heartbreaking finish in the D2 girls shot put competition.

The senior had throws of 44-2 and 44-10.75, with the latter giving her a brief lead in the event. Edgewood's Eva Akpandja was up to the challenge, however, as she captured the title on her final throw, clearing 45-8.5.

Mother Nature upends meet

A passing thunderstorm forced the suspension of the evening session to June 6.

The state meet will resume at 7:30 a.m. with a revised schedule. Events such as the D2 and D3 boys 3,200 run will be run at 9 a.m. along with the D3 boys triple jump and D2 girls long jump. The regular June 6 schedule will start at 11 a.m.