Hagen takes 4th at state

Blooming Prairie’s Taylor Hagen finished her career as an Awesome Blossom last weekend with a fourth-place state finish in shot put. 
Hagen’s throw of 38-11 bested Litchfield’s fifth-place finisher Meghan Nelson’s throw by three inches. Hagen fell short of third place finisher Savannah Olson of International falls by only 1/4 inch. Maddie Lindhart of Zumbrota-Mazeppa and Seri Geisler bested Hagen and Olson by over two feet, throwing 41-8 1/4 and 41-3 1/2, respectively. 
Hagen was ultimately pleased with her first trip to state. 
“It was really fun,” said Hagen. “It was definitely a change.”
Hagen said she was thrilled to be able to compete at the state level but that she had goals as well. 
“I wanted to perform my best and do better than how I was seeded.”
Hagen met that goal by several marks, finishing three spots above her seventh seeding. 
Taylor’s throw bested her section finals throw by 3 1/4 inches, but she said her throws at state were still not a season best. 
“I threw better than sections, but I threw really well in the middle of the season,” said Hagen. 
Hagen added that she considered her first and final trip to state a success. 
“It was a good way to end my career as a Blossom,” said Hagen. 
Hagen will attend the University of Northern Iowa this fall.