Photo by Jake McNeill: Fairmont's Cooper Gudahl uses his speed during last Saturday's MSHSL Class AA State Track and Field Championships at St. Michael.

ST. MICHAEL – And with that, the Fairmont track and field season has come to an end. Several Cardinals competed in the final day of the MSHSL Class AA State Track and Field Championships this past Saturday at St. Michael, with three events finding top-seven finishes.

The highest placement of the entire two-day event came from Ellie Perkins on her pole vault routine. Perkins came up just shy of her personal best mark of 11-07, reaching a height of 11-06 to notch a third-place finish. Perham’s Gracie Morris reached this mark in fewer attempts to get second, while Ella Dick from North Branch Area peaked at 12-06 to take home gold.

Perkins also competed in the triple jump, the first time she’s placed at state in this event. She leaped at a distance of 34-08.05, getting 12th behind Ashlynn Mold of St. Francis. Stewartville’s Avery Nelson got first after notching a mark of 39-01.

Kaylee Kloeckner wrapped up the field events with her showing in the shot put. Finishing 15th with her toss of 35-06, the freshman finished a half-inch behind Chisago Lake’s Avery Remitz. This was Kloeckner’s first trip to the state championships.

The Fairmont boys 4 by 800 relay team continued to set their bar with yet another season-best performance.

Being the second event of the meet, Carter Hanson, Jordan Thompson, Cooper Gudahl and Brier Lenort crossed the finish line at a time of 8:04.76, breaking their performance at the Section 2AA Championships in St. Peter. The run got sixth, barely slipping behind Winona by less than a second.

The final track event of the afternoon was the last representation Fairmont had in the meet. Their boys’ 4 by 400 relay team, who qualified for the final day after their preliminary performance, took home seventh with a time of 3:28.25. Rockford’s group won state with their mark of 3:23.15.