More Grafton indoor records broken

Their names sound the same but are spelled differently, and they compete in different events.

But being named Cali or Callie seems to be a thing when it comes to breaking school records for the Grafton High School track and field team.

Last Saturday at the Wisconsin State Indoor Championships at Whitewater, junior Cali Tagliapietra set a school record in the 400-meter run and anchored the 1,600 relay as it set another mark.

She finished eighth in the 400 in 1 minute. 0.4 seconds in a largely Division 1 field.

“My goal for this indoor season was to try and break the record, so when I did I was so happy,” she said.

The relay, which also included Melanie Morgan, Emily Sewell and Abby Barthelemy, set the school record in 4:10.72. Tagliapietra’s split was less than 60 seconds, the fastest on the squad.

“I got the baton in first place, and I knew in order to break the school record I had to leave it all on the track. Before the race we knew what the record was, so when we saw our time we were so happy all hugging. Our coaches were just as happy,” she said. 

“When we found out we won as well, we were so proud of each other because we weren’t even in the fastest heat.”

Senior Callie Faust in a March 29 meet broke the indoor school mark in the 3,200. She already holds the cross country record and other track records. She was 21st in the 1,600 at Whitewater in 5:23.31.

Coach Jason Meinen has sung the praises of both. Last week, he was especially impressed with Tagliapietra.

“Cali has been outstanding this season. Her work ethic, competitiveness and poise have truly stood out,” he said. “Breaking the indoor school record in the 400 was a goal she set for herself coming into the season, and she now has her sights set on the outdoor record as well. Cali also continues to demonstrate strong leadership within the team, something that has clearly carried over from the basketball season.”

The relay team, which was third at state last season with senior Marissa Morgan before younger sister Melanie filled her spot, also continues to impress Meinen.

“It’s a group that complements each other very well (especially when you can replace one Morgan sister with another) and continues to improve each time they compete,” he said. “They were determined to prove themselves on Saturday, and that win has given them a great deal of confidence moving forward. The past success of this relay continues to motivate this group.”

Grafton’s boys were led by the 800 relay of Max Glab, Jack Nelson, DJ James and Sevea Belousov, which was seventh in 1:34.04, the top Division 2 team in the event.

Port Washington’s best finish was the boys’ 1,600 relay. Zeke Rico, Joe Rico, ThiLar Goodman and Da’vion Igess were seventh in 3:37.56.

“Zeke did a great job on the leadoff leg and got us into first place in our heat. Joe extended our lead on the second leg to four seconds,” coach Mark Pasten said. “ThiLar, who is working through a calf injury, was able to get the baton to Da’Vion with a two-second lead. Then Da’Vion, who was racing his first 400, did a great job of holding that lead.”

Jameson Koebel was 21st in the 1,600 in 4:34.67, a personal best by six seconds.

The Port girls’ best finish was by Grace Baumann, who cleared 9 feet, 6 inches in pole vault for 15th place.

Grafton and Port both compete at Homestead on Wednesday, April 15.

At the Sheboygan South Indoor on March 31, the Port girls scored 36 points, taking second of three teams. The host won with 89.

The boys scored 37 points and were third. The host won with 84.

The Pirates’ top finishers were:

Girls — Natalie Northrup, first, 200, 30.29; Peytan Kinzel, second, 55, 8.19, second, long jump, 14-4.5; Melanie Bahr, second, 800, 2:56.58; Northrup, second, 55 hurdles, 10.57, third, triple jump, 29.9.5; Hazel Burkhart, second, shot put, 23-8; Lillian Tradewell, second, high jump, 4-6; 640 relay, Kinzel, Nataliyah Morgan, Amari Brownmiller, Burkhardt, second, 1:40.79; 960 relay, Kellyn Adams, Natalie Brickner, Eleanor Thill, Burkhardt, second, 2:59.73; Brownmiller, third, 55, 8.4; Sela Meeks, third, 400, 1:17.93. Boys — 960 relay, Zeke Rico, Joe Rico, Nathan Nisiewicz, ThiLar Goodman, first, 2:09.08; Zeke Rico, second, 55, 7.11; Jameson Koebel, second, 1,600, 5:15.13, second, 3,200, 11:47.28; Goodman, second, 55 hurdles, 8.88;  Jerek Roman, second, high jump, 5-8; John Dohrwardt, third, 1,600, 5:15.74, third, 3,200, 11:47.86; LeRoy Pinkston, third, 55 hurdles, 8.89; 640 relay, Pinkston, Eli Novotny, Roman, Aidan Manz, third, 1:26.64; 3,200 relay, Manz, Thomas Stangl, Judah Leinss, Brayden Searle, third, 10:00.75; Caleb Winker, third, high jump, 5-6.