LA CROSSE – Belmont’s Jacob Wedig put the finishing touches on a phenomenal junior season both making the award’s stand in two events at the 2017 WIAA Division 3 State Track and Field Meet held at UW-La Crosse’s Veterans Memorial Stadium on Friday and Saturday, June 2-3.
    Wedig opened his eventful weekend by finishing sixth in the D3 discus with a top mark of 144’2”, and then wrapped up his first state appearance by placing second in the D3 shot put with a personal best throw of 53’5.75”.
    “Jake did a great job at state. I am so proud of his performances,” said Belmont head coach Amber Eisele. “I know he was hoping for a better outcome in the discus, but I think he did amazing especially with all the pressure and everyone watching and it was pretty hot. He is such a great kid and he has worked so hard in and out of track season, the weight room and lots of home practices to earn both of those medals very much.”
    Wedig started off strong, hitting his best throw in the discus on his every first throw of the meet on Friday morning. He was in fourth-place after the first round of throws.
    Alma/Pepin senior Caiden Haake, who came in as the top seed after registering a toss of 182’5” to win the Bangor Sectional, closed the preliminary round by breaking a five-year old record in the event with a heave of 179’5” on the final throw.
    Haake extended his record to 181’0” on his second throw of the finals and went on to win the event by nearly 24-feet over runner-up Josh Pillath, a senior from Coleman.
    Wedig was in the lead in the shot put following the preliminary round on Saturday afternoon after recording a career-best mark of 53’5.75” on his final attempt of the round.
    Fond du Lac Saint Mary’s Springs senior Michael Buetow passed the Brave on his first throw of the finals, and no one was able to top his or Wedig’s marks the rest of the competition as they finished 1-2 in the event.
    “I couldn’t ask for a better performance than his shot put. He threw a personal best and gave it his all. I think second-place is a great accomplishment and maybe next year that means we can take home a gold,” Eisele declared.
    Wedig, who was seeded fourth in both events heading into the state meet, scored 11 points in his two events to place Belmont 30th overall in the D3 boys’ team standings.
    “I know he wishes he threw farther because he knows he can, but I am all around very happy with his throws. I couldn’t be prouder of his accomplishments,” said his coach.