Rosener earns State medal for Wildcats

OMAHA — Cole Rosener took advantage of his qualification for Class C’s 2023 Nebraska School Activities Association State Track and Field Championships at Omaha Burke Stadium last weekend.

The Hartington-Newcastle sophomore splashed in the sand after a jump of 20 feet, 2 inches, to earn an eighth-place medal and grab a point for the Wildcats.

“There was no wind — it was a legitimate 20-foot jump,” retiring HNS coach Blair Kalin said. “That should really send him forward in his career with a lot of confidence — he’ll be fun to watch as he gets better, and he will.”

Lane Heimes was the other Wildcat competing in Omaha.

The Hartington-Newcastle senior competed in the pole vault at Burke and is the school record holder in the event.

Heimes vaulted over the bar at 12 feet, which put him in 12th in the field.

“Lane has had a great career here in track and all of the other sports he’s participated in,” Kalin said. “He’s a great athlete and he is just a great kid — he’s easy to root for and is a very hard-working individual.”

The Lady Wildcats sent a freshman as their representative at State.

Jade Ford competed in the triple jump after grabbing a State spot at the district meet.

Ford jumped 31-09.50, which put her in 24th in the event and gave her great experience and confidence to build on her track career.

As her career gets started, Kalin’s is coming to an end at Hartington-Newcastle.

“It was really neat to end my time at Hartington-Newcastle down there,” Kalin said. “The weather was great, and it reminds you of the great times down here over the years.”

And as he exits, he thinks the sport is in great shape.

“There were some amazing performances down here this year with a lot of meet records set in a lot of events,” Kalin said. “There’s a lot of talented kids across the state.”

Chase County won the boys’ title with Battle Creek finishing second while Bishop Neumann was the girls’ champion and Kearney Catholic earned runner-up.