Raiders Earn Fifth-place Finish at State Track and Field Meet

by Coach Greg Johnson

The Bertha-Hewitt-Verndale Raider boys track and field team concluded its season at the MSHSL Class A State Track and Field Championships held Thursday and Friday, June 4-5, at St. Michael-Albertville High School.

Senior Brady Rach represented the Raiders in the 800-meter run at the state meet. In Thursday’s preliminary race, Rach posted the third-fastest qualifying time in the field with a time of 1:57.18, which would have advanced him to Friday’s championship finals. Following the race, however, the meet officials ruled that Rach had stepped on the inside lane line for too many consecutive strides and was disqualified from advancing. While the ruling brought a disappointing end to an outstanding high school career, Rach handled the situation with remarkable maturity and sportsmanship. Rather than focusing on his own disappointment, he remained at the meet to support his teammates as they competed in Friday’s 4x800-meter relay.

“Brady had a tremendous career for the BHV Raiders Track and Field program,” said Head Coach Greg Johnson. “He handled the ruling with class and was there to support his teammates the next day as they ran the 4x800-meter relay. I can’t say enough about how much his class and leadership have meant to our program..."

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