Miller Sets New School Record as Comet Have Big Showing in First Meet

A slight wind rippled across the University of Minnesota–Morris track when Maddie Miller settled into her blocks for the 100‑meter dash. Moments later, she exploded down the straightaway, eyes on the finish, and claimed a new Hillcrest record in 12.54 seconds. Miller’s triumphant smile hinted that this was only the beginning for the Comets, a team radiating talent and promise from first event to last.

Not long after Miller’s record run, she returned for the 200 and nabbed first place again. The same energy drove Kaia Fiskness, whose fluid stride owned the 400 (1:03) and anchored two winning relays. She teamed up with Ruby Peterson, Elsa Retzlaff, and Emme Berge in the 4×400 (4:39.4), then joined Katie Holzner, Elsa, and Emme to take the 4×800 in 10:51. Holzner, never one to shy away from distance, clocked 5:51.78 in the 1,600 for second place before adding a third‑place finish in the 800 (2:42.72). In the infield, Chloe Walkup heaved the shot to 28‑3 for third, proving that Hillcrest’s success wasn’t confined to the oval.

On the boys’ side, Drew Fischer muscled his way to a sixth‑place finish in the 200 (24.93) before joining forces with Vincent Nash, Eli Walkup, and Landon Shay in the 4×100 (51.21) to capture sixth. Distance specialists Landon Shay, Malachi Loveless, Maddox Haus, and Logan Kowalski formed a third‑place 4×800 crew that paced the track in 9:53, an early sign of steady improvement to come.

Between races, Coach Allen Aase, fondly known as “Big Al,” could be found at various corners of the track, sharing quick smiles and words of assurance with every Comet competitor. He cheered just as loudly for those surging out front as he did for those battling at the back, adding an extra spark of energy wherever it was needed.

Though Hillcrest’s girls placed fifth with 80.5 points and the boys finished eighth with 29, the performances and camaraderie already point to a season of record‑chasing and personal bests. The Comets will head to Perham next, eager to show that there’s more left in the tank.