LA CROSSE — As soon as they crossed the finish line, Melrose-Mindoro High School junior Bristol Coats and Bangor junior Jaycee Michek sought out each other to celebrate.
As they embraced, Coats reminded Michek of what she told her before their Division 3 300-meter hurdle final at the WIAA state track and field meet.
“I told her before the race that she was going to get the meet record,” Coats said. “I told her this was her time, and she was like, ‘No, I don’t think so.'”
Coats was right, and Michek headlined a pretty memorable moment for the couleesports.com area in a race that included three local performers on the medal stand.
Michek did break that record and crossed the finish line first at 43.58 seconds and was followed by Coats, who was second in 44.62.
Luther sophomore Jaeyda Livingston was also sixth with a time of 45.71.
The medal was the second of the weekend for Coats, who was also sixth in the long jump on Friday.
“I love this because I became so close to them running,” Coats said. “I use Jacee as my competition, and she’s the on I’m always trying to push for, but I love lining up and running with both of them.”
Coats also qualified in the 200 but didn’t medal in that event.
Livingston was a four-event qualifier and concluded her weekend with the medal in the 300 hurdles.
She also qualified in the 100 hurdles, the high jump and the long jump. Livingston was a finalist in the 100 hurdles, placed seventh in the long jump (17-5 1/2) and cleared 5 feet in the high jump for 11th place.
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