De Pere Track & Field Delivers Strong Performances at Dan Baker Invitational

The De Pere boys and girls track and field teams turned in an impressive showing at the Dan Baker Invitational, highlighted by event victories, multiple podium finishes, and a number of personal-record performances across the board.

Boys Team Highlights

The De Pere boys were led by a dominant performance in the 4x800 relay, where the team of Grady Lenn, Brett Spice, Noah Zhang, and Daniel Zhang captured 1st place in 8:14.43. The win showcased the team’s depth and strength in distance events.

Individually, Noah Zhang delivered one of the top performances of the meet, finishing 2nd in the 3200 meters with a personal-best time of 9:41.50. Teammate Daniel Zhang added a strong 4th-place finish in the same event.

In the sprints, Evan Frelich placed 5th in the 100-meter finals (11.79) after running a personal best of 11.56 in the prelims. The 4x100 relay team (Noah Vander Heyden, Aiden Arttus, Dante Matta, Gavin Jensky) also had a standout race, finishing 2nd overall in 43.49.

The field events were another area of strength for De Pere. Noah Vander Heyden earned runner-up finishes in both the long jump (22' 4.5") and triple jump (44' 9"), setting personal records in both events. Freshman Luca Johnson also had a strong day, placing 4th in long jump and 8th in triple jump, both personal-best marks.

On the track, Richmond Gyamfi placed 3rd in the 400 meters with a personal-best time of 51.36, while Vincent Hauser contributed solid performances in the distance events.

Girls Team Highlights

The De Pere girls team matched the boys with a strong overall performance, led by standout efforts in distance and relays.

Bella Heideman led the way with a 1st-place finish in the 3200 meters (11:22.80) and a 2nd-place finish in the 1600 meters, where she ran a personal best of 5:12.95. Teammate Natalie Novak added a 4th-place finish in the 3200 meters with a personal-best time.

In the sprints, Nevaeh Randall placed 6th in the 100 meters and improved to 5th in the 200 meters, setting a personal best of 26.98.

The 4x400 relay team (Nevaeh Randall, Brynn Myers, Betsy Hermsen, Colleen Kopling) delivered one of the top performances of the meet, finishing 2nd overall in 4:15.15. The 4x800 relay team (Colleen Kopling, Betsy Hermsen, Kassidy Hutjens, Natalie Novak) also placed 2nd, continuing the team’s strong showing in distance events.

In the 400 meters, Colleen Kopling led De Pere with a 6th-place finish and a personal best (1:03.49), while Mya Sheppard also recorded a personal-best performance.

De Pere Personal Record (PR) Performances

Boys PRs

• Evan Frelich – 100m (11.56, prelims)
• Richmond Gyamfi – 400m (51.36)
• Noah Zhang – 3200m (9:41.50)
• Noah Vander Heyden – Long Jump (22' 4.5"), Triple Jump (44' 9")
• Luca Johnson – Long Jump (21' 4"), Triple Jump (40' 3.5")
• Bryson Blahnik – Triple Jump (37' 1")
• Ethan Flom – Pole Vault (12' 6")

Girls PRs

• Nevaeh Randall – 200m (26.98)
• Colleen Kopling – 400m (1:03.49)
• Mya Sheppard – 400m (1:06.91)
• Bella Heideman – 1600m (5:12.95)
• Natalie Novak – 3200m (11:58.51)
• Nora Powell – 300m hurdles (54.28)
• Kelly Chen – Long Jump (14' 6")
• Paityn Meulemans – High Jump (4' 6")

Full results found here