LA CROSSE — Entering the finals of Friday’s Division 3 girls shot put at the WIAA State Track and Field Championships in La Crosse, Belmont senior Kaliee Kamps got a supportive pep talk from her older sister Kassi — a three-year state qualifier and former Belmont track standout.
     “She said, ‘you already have fourth at state and a lot of other people would give anything to be in this position,’” said Kailee. “‘These are your last three throws as a high school shot putter. Go out there and have fun and go after it.’”
     Kamps went into the circle, gave a quick point and smile to her older sis, and set out to beat her own school record.
Each throw in the finals was better than the previous resulting in a personal-best, a new school record of 45 feet 7 1/2 inches, and a second-place finish behind two-time state champion sophomore Kennedy Blahnik (47–11) of Algoma.
     Saturday Kamps added yet another silver medal to her resume finishing second — again to Blahnik — in the discus with a toss of 132–11. She finishes her career with six state medals — a 2010 state championship in the discus, a pair of second-place finishes in the event, two runner-up finishes in the shot put, and one fourth-place finish in the shot in 2010.
     “There are no words to describe it,” said Kamps. “Finishing second at state is an incredible feeling. “This year state was a little different because I knew it would be my last time. I really wanted to go out with a bang. Setting a personal best in the shot and finishing second in the discus was a great way to cap off a perfect year.”
     Kamps will now take her talents to Minneapolis, Minn. to compete in Division 1 college track and field next year at the University of Minnesota.
     “I think Kailee was happy with her two silvers,” said Belmont coach Jason Weittenhiller. “I’m sure she would have loved to take home a gold medal but Kennedy is a great thrower. “She went out on a high note and finished an amazing career. Kailee has both of our school records in the shot and discus. She also broke a lot of meet records throughout her career. Kailee works harder than any other athlete I’ve been around. I’m sure she will do great things next year in Minnesota.”
     Fellow Belmont senior Amanda Adams also closed out a fine prep track career this past weekend.
     On Friday Adams just missed qualifying for Saturday’s finals in the 300-meter hurdles. Her preliminary time of 49.31 seconds was good for 11th place. The top 10 went to finals.
     Adams finished 16th in the triple jump Saturday morning with a leap of 30 feet, 8 inches.
     “Amanda had a good state meet,” said Weittenhiller. “She just missed out on making finals in the 300’s and had three good jumps in the triple. Amanda also wrapped up a fine track career. She was only out for track two years, but accomplished a lot in that short time. Amanda tied our school record in the 300s.”

WIAA Division 3 State Meet
(from Friday-Saturday, June 1–2 @ UW–La Crosse, Memorial Stadium)
(Boys)
Top 10 team scores —  1.Edgar 44.50, 2.Maraton 43, 3.Princeton/Green Lake 36.50, 4.Whitehall 35, 5(tie).Brookfield Academy 33, 5(tie).Rosholt 33, 7.Hilbert 31, 8.St. Mary’s Springs 30, 9.The Priaire School 29, 10.Wild Rose 24..
Belmont’s state qualifiers
None
(Girls)
Top 10 team scores —  1.Edgar 112, 2.Maitowoc Lutheran 51, 3.Algoma 35, 4(tie).University Lake School 28, 4(tie).Shell Lake 28, 6.Wild Rose 25, 7(tie).Spring Valley 22, 7(tie).St. Mary’s Springs 22, 9(tie).Newman Catholic 19, 9(tie).Cambridge 19...12.Belmont 16.
Belmont’s state qualifiers
300 hurdles — 11.Amanda Adams :49.31. Triple jump — 16.Adams 30–8. Shot put — 2.Kailee Kamps 45–71/4. Discus — 2.Kailee Kamps 132–11.