By Brenda Erdahl
Sports Editor
Maple Lake High School Senior Natalie Neumann finished her athletic career as an all-state track and field athlete, finishing eighth in the Class A discus throw at the Minnesota State High School League State Track and Field Meet, Thursday, June 9 at St. Michael/Albertville High School.
“It feels amazing to place at state. It has been my goal for many years to advance to state, so even placing is extraordinary,” Neumann said.
After the first round of throws in the first flight, Neumann found herself in first place. When the final two throws of her flight were completed, she sat in second place. There were nine throwers in the second flight, and since nine athletes from each event make the finals, she needed to beat two of those throwers, and she did, said Irish Head Coach Ben Youngs.
Going into finals, Neumann was in ninth place and guaranteed a medal. On her third and final throw of the finals, she passed the girl in eighth place to take that spot. Her best throw of 112 feet, 9 inches got her on the podium.