LA CROSSE — Ted Teske has accomplished a lot as a three-sport standout at Arcadia High School.
His senior season included a football season where he was the Raiders’ leading receiver and a basketball season where he was their leading rebounder and a consistent scorer.
But as he lined up for is final attempt in the Division 2 long jump at the WIAA state track and field meet on Friday, Teske hoped he’d end his career with a bang.
His speed was good, and so was his landing. It felt like a school record and was soon measured and confirmed.
The final thing he did as an Arcadia athlete was set a school record with an attempt of 22 feet, 10.75 inches.
That also placed him third overall and gave him a prominent spot on the medal stand at the Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex after his sectional performance made him the 11th seed.
“It feels pretty amazing,” Teske said of the medal and distance. “I (set a personal record) by a foot and an inch today.”
One key to that, he said, was pouring all of his energy into one event instead of the several he generally has.
“I came in knowing this was going to be my last high school track meet,” Teske said. “So there was no reason to leave anything out there.”
With his previous best of less than 22 feet, Teske set the tone early with an opening jump of 22-0.5. Every one of his jumps on Friday was more than 22 feet, and only second-place Milwaukee Academy of Science senior Amare Jackson (22-11.5) and champion Prairie du Chien senior Blake Thiry (23-6.75) — an Indiana football recruit — could beat him.
Aside from setting the tone by taking an early lead, Teske also opened his eyes to what was possible.
“It made me feel like I was, maybe, underestimating myself before,” he said, “and maybe I could compete with these big dogs here.”
Teske was also a qualifier and medalist in the long jump as a junior. He went 21-8.5 a year ago and took home sixth place. The hope is to always improve on what was accomplished the previous time, and the senior took care of that.
“Everybody tells you to leave it all out on the field,” Teske said. “That’s what I feel like I did today.”
