Rouamba and Zemke Claim D2 State Championships in Triple Jump and Pole Vault

LA CROSSE - Wyatt Rouamba, a senior from Xavier, showcased his talent at the WIAA state track and field meet on June 5 by clinching the Division 2 title in the triple jump. With a remarkable leap of 47 feet, 11.5 inches on his first attempt, Rouamba not only secured the championship but also set a new state record, surpassing the previous mark of 47-9.5 held by Gavin Sargeant of Lodi. "We've been working up to this point in the season all year," Rouamba stated. "So, I mean I knew I had to set the tone with the first jump so I just went out there and did what I do."

Rouamba's victory came after he outperformed Martin Luther's Elijah Watkins, who jumped 44-0.5, and Taylor Williams from Lancaster with a mark of 44-0.25. Maintaining his focus, Rouamba approached the state meet with a calm mindset, treating it like any other event. "It's another opportunity to jump," he explained. "So I just went out there, calmed my nerves and asked God for some peace and forgiveness. And I went out there and jumped."

In a triumphant conclusion to his high school career, Winneconne senior Trey Zemke won the D2 boys pole vault title, clearing a height of 15-0. This achievement came after he finished second in the same event last year with a jump of 14-6. Zemke secured the gold after successfully clearing 14-6 and then reaching for 15-0, doing so on his third attempt. "Super satisfying," Zemke expressed about his victory. "I've been trying to get that 15 and that bar all year."

Zemke experienced a surge of adrenaline as he competed solo, aiming for a height beyond 15 feet. "Just clearing that bar made me ecstatic," he shared. After a challenging start to the season, where he only managed to clear 13-6 indoors, Zemke steadily improved, hitting 14-6 mid-season and then 14-9 at sectionals before achieving 15-0 at state.

Meanwhile, Winneconne's Hudson Samolinski finished second in the D2 discus throw with a distance of 173-10, falling short against Green Bay Notre Dame's Richie Flanigan, who won with a throw of 176-8. Despite his strong performance, Samolinski expressed disappointment, feeling that nerves impacted his results. "I just feel like I didn't really perform one of the best of my ability," he admitted. Flanigan acknowledged Samolinski’s competitiveness, saying, "Hudson's a great competitor." The two are set to compete again in the shot put on June 6, where Samolinski is eager to make his mark.

In the girls' D2 shot put, New London's Ayden Smith faced a tough challenge, finishing with throws of 44-2 and 44-10.75, but ultimately, she was surpassed by Edgewood's Eva Akpandja, who clinched the title with a final throw of 45-8.5. A passing thunderstorm interrupted the event, leading to a postponement of the evening session, with activities scheduled to resume at 7:30 a.m. on June 6.