On top of the podium is where Prescott belonged. Four sprinters who worked hard for four years were rewarded Friday. They were all smiles as they took their place above the number “1” to the cheers of the crowd at the UW-La Crosse Veterans Stadium.

The team of Grace Carlson, Jessie Urman, Abby Severson and Tori Benck have run together in the 400 and 800-meter relays since they were freshmen. They’ve been among the state’s best teams, and their dream came true on their final run together.

Earlier in the day, they were edged out by Madison Edgewood in the 800-meter relay.

“We knew we needed to come back strong, and we were ready,” said Carlson. “We knew we could do it.”

Prescott coach Emily Calabrese sets the stage for that final 400 that will go down in Prescott record books as the fastest-ever for a Cardinal team in that event.

“It’s crazy actually how calm and patient these girls are at this point,” she said of their demeanor after taking second in the 800. “There were no nerves. For them, it’s easier than you would think. They’ve done this before. They know how this feels. This is such a special group. They’re just so supportive of each other. Knowing they’re all in this together is what kind of calms them in general.

“The 4×200 has always been our race with these girls. Being their senior year, it was their one last chance. We told them to run with fire. Be fierce. Go get it. This belongs to you. They were able to do that. And getting edged out in the 4×200, it definitely gave them the little bit of extra push they needed to finish the 4×100.”

Calabrese said she took a spot at the top of the stadium to watch her team, seeded first in the state in division 2 in both the 400 and 800 relays.

It went like clockwork. Carlson with the first leg and a perfect handoff to Urman. From Urman, Severson poured on the gas around the turns. Benck sprinted the final 100 to the finish, beaming from ear to ear as she crossed the finish.

Photo courtesy of Prescott Track Facebook page.

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“Grace needed to keep up with the girls on the outside. Jesse did her thing. Abby – that girl just flies. Abby got it and took off. I knew we were going to be OK. Then when Tori crossed the finish line and she and Abby embraced. There’s no words. It was incredible,” said Calabrese.

When asked about that famous finish line smile, Benck replied, “I didn’t know we won. I looked up at the board and saw Prescott at number one, and I realized it’s for real.”

“It feels like it didn’t really happen,” said Carlson after the podium ceremony.

Overall, the first and the second-place finish propelled the Cardinals to 11th place overall in the WIAA Division 2 meet.

The relay’s celebrations were put on hold, though, as Severson also competed in the 200-meter dash, qualifying for finals and taking eighth place overall.

Individually, Carlson also took 12th place in the 100.

For the Prescott boys team, the 4×200 team of Grant Stanton, Andrew Lee, Kyle Budworth and Aiden Russell ran an excellent race, taking 13th place overall not he state stage. They’re all juniors, as well.

Russell also took 13th in the high jump.

“They all did great. It’s such a great experience for them,” said Calabrese.

Prescott brought a big contingency of athletes to watch the meet, and now they need to take that experience back and make taking the spot at the top of the podium their new goal.

“It’s crazy to think about these girls moving on,” said Calabrese. “A couple of our freshman girls were with us. Just them being able to see that and experience. They now have the drive to be able to do that themselves. They want to be there on that track.” Official Prescott results: Girls 400-meter relay – Carlson, Urman, Severson and Benck, first in 49.55. Fox Valley Lutheran was second in 50.13.

800-meter relay – Severson, Urman, Carlson and Benck, second in 1:44.23. Madison Edgewood was first in 1:43.85.

100-meter dash – Carlson was 12th in the preliminaries in 12.94.

200-meter dash – Severs posted a time of 26.12 in the preliminaries to qualify and took eighth in the finals in a time of 26.27.

Boys 800-meter relay – Stanton, Lee, Budworth and Russell were 13th overall in 1:34.47.

High jump – Russell took 13th with a jump of 5-10.00.

Photo by Faun Stanton.

Photo by Faun Stanton.

Photo by Faun Stanton.

Photos by Faun Stanton.

Prescott senior Tori Benck was all smiles as she crossed the finished line first to help the Prescott 400-meter relay team to a state championship Friday at the WIAA State Track & Field Meet in La Crosse.

Aiden Russell competed at the high jump at the WIAA State Track & Field Meet in La Crosse Friday.

Grant Stanton prepared for the start of the 400-meter relay at the WIAA State Meet Friday in La Crosse.

At left, Grace Carlson took the handoff from Jessie Urman, and Abby Severson sprinted for Prescott in relay races at the WIAA State Track & Field Championships Friday in La Crosse.