Future in discus looks bright for Colfax’s Jensen and Hydukovich
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Morgan Jensen
Ed Hydukovich
By Dan Luer
Editor’s note: Although Dan Luer, who also is a graduate of Colfax High School, does not mention it in the article, he holds the state discus record for the Class C division in 1972 at 154-8. He is retired and formerly served as an assistant track and field coach in throws at UW-Stout.
COLFAX — Last year, Colfax High School students Morgan Jensen and Ed Hydukovich went to the Wisconsin state track meet.
It was Morgan’s second appearance and Ed’s first appearance.
While they did “okay,” they vowed to break Colfax school records and place or win at the state tournament in 2020.
This spring, the COVID-19 pandemic stopped their dreams, along with thousands of other athletes in America.
Ed began to throw the college discus to keep his college track options open. He plans on attending the University of Minnesota for academic reasons, but he is not closing the door on a track future somewhere.
This summer, Ed has thrown the 2k discus over 150 feet consistently, and he has thrown the high school discus over 170 feet.
Those throws would have put him into contention with Brent Tice’s Colfax High School record of 167.
Morgan and Ed as teammates dominated the regional discus scene for three years.
In the winter, they threw indoors at Tony Christopherson’s shed. Tony is a friend of Morgan’s dad, Jim.
When the COVID-19 virus hit, Morgan was throwing around 140 feet. She was recruited by one of the best throws programs in America — UW-Eau Claire.
Morgan’s throws right now would give her All-American status as a freshman. Her high school coach, Tina Rothbauer, had been a state champion in the 1990s and is the current Colfax record holder at 131 feet.
Morgan will never have a chance to break Tina’s record, but there should be an asterisk next to the record that says COVID/Morgan Jensen.
Even Tina’s niece, Heidi Lieffort, a Colfax discus champion and an All-American thrower at UW-Stout, worked with Morgan and Ed in the off season.
Heidi’s best throw of 159 placed her with the second best throw nationally three years ago.
Heidi and her husband, Garrett, helped the high schoolers get ready for their careers in college track. Many other people helped with their practices, too, including Nate, Ed’s dad, who is a former Minnesota thrower.