The Ellsworth boys track team’s 4×100 and 4×200 have worked to rewrite the record books this season.

Both teams are heading into the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet Friday at Veterans Stadium at UW-La Crosse seeded second in the event after winning the championship at the WIAA Regional Meet in Osceola Thursday.

The team’s 4×200 time of 1:30.98 is both an Ellsworth High School and Middle Border Conference record. The 4×100 time of 43.98 is an EHS record.

“Honestly, they’re just a great group of kids. They work fast. They work well together. They just have fun,” said Coach Drew Pechacek. “We didn’t know what to expect from this season even going in. They really enjoy being part of a team, getting to be together.”

The runners are Max Grand (junior), Bo Hines (sophomore), Ashton Quade (junior) and Shane Lange (senior) with alternates Jack Hadler (freshman) and Wyatt Blomberg (senior) in both the 4×100 and 4×200.

In the 4×100, the Ellsworth state seed time is 43.98, just off the top seed pace of 43.79 from Mosinee. In the 4×200, the Panther mark is 1:31.76, on the heels of top-seeded Monroe’s time of 1:41.46.

If things click, Pechacek can envision his squad on the top of the podium.

“We have four evenly-matched runners. If we can complete our handoffs and get around the track, anything’s possible,” he said. “That’s what we’ve been telling them, just get around the track, give yourself a chance.”

Coach Marcia Jahnke said the team runs seamlessly.

“They’re not four runners, they’re one race,” she said.

She said the 4×100 record has been broken twice by the team, and it’s not always the same four runners.

“Normally when you list your alternatives, you don’t necessarily use them. This team has consistently used their alternates and managed to perform,” she said.

The team’s success has been a pleasant surprise for the Panthers, and they’re excited for their chances at state.

“We have a good group of guys, some fast guys,” said Grand.

“We need to keep our heads in the game,” said Lange. “We need to run like we can and let the cards fall where they may.”

Also advancing to state for the Panthers is the 4×800 relay team of Blomberg, junior Kohl Flock, Lange and Quade, with alternates sophomore Alex Pazdernik and Hines. They run into the meet seeded 15th with a time of 3:35.22.

Photo by Jack McLoone.