Track & Field

      The State Track Meet is over for the Class "A" participants and the Aitkin Gobblers should be pretty pleased with their efforts. Brita Westman didn't make the finals in the 100m hurdles, but Isaiah Baker and Ashley Asmus brought home medals in two of the three events they were entered. Baker won the silver medal, 2nd place in the triple jump Tuesday and Ashley Asmus finished 6th in the 800m run Wednesday after leading after 400m in a time of 1:08.526. Ashley talked about the race today, "It was tough weaving between people as I ran. The competition was so close, and it was such a great race. All the girls I ran against were so sweet and such great athletes which made it an incredible experience." Baker was also in the high jump but didn't medal in that event. Baker and Asmus will both return in 2026. Check the photos below, there are some beauties taken by Lex Hills.

      Day one of the State Track Meet at St. Michael-Albertville was a very eventful one. The Aitkin Gobblers trio of track stars were in action and they did well. The only senior of the crew Brita Westman tied her personal best in the 100m hurdles but it wasn't enough to advance her to Wednesdays finals. Her high school career is over but no regrets from the young lady that won over a lot of hearts in her time at Aitkin, "I actually got a personal record by .08 and ran a 16:08. I was racing against amazing athletes and it gave me a challenge in the hurdles. I'm happy with how I did and had an amazing season." Isaiah Baker, a junior looked to do well in the triple jump and he did exactly that finishing second and grabbing a silver medal. He was happy as well with his performance, "I wish I could have got the gold, but I'll take second. It just gives me motivation for next season." Baker will take part in the high jump Wednesday and knows it will take something special to medal in that event, "I think all jumpers are pretty close, but it could take 6'4 or maybe 6'6 to win the event." Sophomore Ashley Asmus was last to perform Tuesday, and she was in the prelims of the 800m run. She ran an astounding 2:20.09 and finished third in her heat. Oddly enough her time was better than anyone in the first heat but she had to wait until the third heat ended to see if her time was good enough to make the finals Wednesday. It was so she will have a chance to medal in that event. She doesn't shy away from competition, "It was great competition, and the girls were all super sweet. We all really pushed each other to do our best. It was a really fun day and I am grateful for the opportunity." 

       Aitkin Gobbler track coach Adam Carlson has had the pleasure of coaching many fine athletes in his tenure here but few better than the three heading for the State Track Meet at St. Michael-Albertville on June 10-11. He took a few minutes out this week to talk about his trio of track stars taking their season to the highest level next week.

       "This season, Isaiah Baker has continued to excel in his events. He’s been remarkably consistent on the takeoff board in the triple jump and soars with confidence in the high jump. Isaiah is a naturally gifted athlete with strong body control, explosive strength, and a calm, focused presence in competition.  It’s been exciting to watch him break the school triple jump record three times and tie the school record in the high jump. I’m looking forward to seeing him compete at the State Meet, where he’ll be able to focus on one event each day instead of four. Isaiah has both the skill and the mindset to compete at the highest level."

      "Ashley Asmus broke the school record in the 800 at Subsections and then improved it again at UMD, showing both her talent and determination. She’s a steady, consistent runner who approaches each race with focus and determination. Ashley has a great sense of pacing and always finishes strong, giving her best effort every time she steps on the track. Even after a solid race, she’s quick to reflect and look for ways to improve. She’s a fierce competitor, but also one of the most polite and appreciative student-athletes you’ll meet.  I’m excited to see what she can do at the State Meet when she’s able to concentrate on just one event."

      "Brita Westman earned our Iron Woman Award for track by consistently competing in four events at nearly every meet and scoring significant points for the team. As a veteran senior and team captain, she leads with poise, dedication, and a strong work ethic that sets the tone for younger athletes. At the Section Finals, she faced adversity when she was tripped up on a hurdle but showed incredible resilience by fighting back to earn her spot at the State Meet. I’m excited to see her compete on the big stage and finish her high school career with the strength and heart she’s shown all season. "

        Thanks Adam and best of luck to all next week at the State Track Meet!

     This is how we play "Name that Track Star". The Aitkin Gobblers have three participants in the State Track Meet next week. I listed categories that Isaiah Baker, Brita Westman and Ashley Asmus have supplied answers for. Favorite athlete, favorite meal, things like that.  It's just having some fun with our athletes. Here are the correct athletes with their answers. 

BRITA WESTMAN

1) Who's is your favorite athlete?   (Michael Jordan)

2) What is your favorite tv show? (The Gilmore Girls)

3) How about your favorite meal? (Chicken Alfredo)

4) Who is your favorite artist? (SZA)

5) What would be your walkup song as you are introduced? (My Way by Fetty Wap)

ASHLEY ASMUS

1) Who is your favorite athlete? (Isaac Asmus)

2) What is your favorite tv show? (Buffy, the Vampire Slayer)

3) How about your favorite meal? (Pizza)

4) Who is your favorite artist? (Shakira)

5) What would be your walkup song as you are introduced? (Wanna Be by Spice Girls)

ISAIAH BAKER

1) Who is your favorite athlete? (Kobe Bryant)

2) What is your favorite tv show? (Grand Tour)

3) What is your favorite meal? (My Moms shrimp with friend rice and salmon)

4) Who is your favorite artist? (Travis Scott)

5) What would be your walkup song when you are introduced? (My Eyes by Travis Scott)

       Congratulations athletes and best of luck in the State Track Meet next week!!

     The Aitkin Gobbler boys and girls were at UMD on Wednesday, May 28th and after their efforts they will send three athletes to the State Track Meet at St. Michael-Albertville June 10-11. Ashley Asmus, Brita Westman and Isaiah Baker will represent the red and black in the event after picking up three first place finishes and one runnerup spot. Baker won the high jump and the triple jump while Asmus won the 800m and Westman was second in the 100m hurdles. She nosed out teammate Tika May in the 100mh with May finishing 3rd and also picking up a 4th in the 300m hurdles. The girls finished in 7th place while the boys were 10th after all events were finished. On the boys' side their best finish after Baker who also had a 4th in the long jump, was Camden Visnovec who was 5th in the 300m hurdles. The 4x800 relay team of Lenny Hughes, Noah Moss, Colter Popkes and Jacob Moen was 6th and the 4x100 relay team of Visnovec, Lane Anderson, Braden Bartel-Wagner and Baker was also 6th. Visnovec was 9th in the 300m hurdles and Weston Kyllonen was 10th in the pole vault. Anderson was 12th in the 100m, Popkes was 12th in the 800m and Braden-Wagner was 14th in the 100m.  For the girls they had a 4th from Brooklyn Raisch in the high jump and a 5th from the 4x800 relay team of Molly Hunter, Hannah Rasmussen, Kira Hamilton and Asmus. Elizabeth Morris was 8th in the discus and the 4x100 relay team of Westman, May, Ellory Grund and Hamilton also finished 8th. Westman was 9th in the long jump, Haylee Coil was 11th in the high jump, London Smook was 11th in the pole vault, Hamilton was 12th in the long jump and Allie Ostrowski was 14th in the pole vault.

***Ashley Asmus-"It was really fun to have the opportunity to run today. I had some good competition that helped push me to a faster time. I'm excited for State and I hope I can run even faster. I would really like to make it past the prelims and run the second day at State."

***Isaiah Baker-"I had some soreness in my leg during warmups, but it went away before our relay. Wish our 4x100 could have done better. Triple jump, I met my goal to get a 44' jump. Glad I'm going to State in two events, now the real competition starts."

***Brita Westman-I'm happy with how I did today, even though I tripped. I'm glad I was able to get second and am going to State in the hurdles." Her prep for today, "Blueberry smoothie last night and eggs this morning."

(photos by Julie and Dan Asmus)