By Grant Barrett, Ad Astra Radio
GYPSUM, Kan. – There were a number of personal best times and distances recorded for the Smoky Valley Track team on Friday, as the Smoky Valley Invitational was held at Southeast of Saline, due to stadium renovations at Bethany College.
Breanne Peters would take first in the pole vault at 11’6, while Noelle Peters finished second with a jump of 10’. Breanne also set a new school record in the 100m dash, claiming first with a time of 12.27. The original record of 12.30 was set by Erin Kessinger 30 years ago in 1993. She also finished fifth in the long jump, while Trista Spitler took 8th in the long jump and 10th in the triple jump.
Hope Willems also had an impressive day in her distance events, finishing first in the 3200m run, and claiming third in the 1600m run. Katja Blanchat finished second with a personal best in the 400m dash, and Clara McElroy ran a season best time in the 300 hurdles, finishing 5th.
For the Viking boys, the team of Tytus Reed, Ki Blanchat, Karson Pihl, and Wyatt Johnson would take first in the 4×800 relay, while the 4×100 team would take third. In the 400m dash, Johnson and Pihl were separated by .38 as Johnson took third, and Pihl took fifth.
In the throwing events, Justin Holt claimed second with personal-best shot put throw, Trystan Stambaugh also set a personal best for a fifth place shot put throw, he also took seventh in the discus.
Following the meet, Coach Jay Myers said, “This meet provided more challenges than most regionals. We stepped up.” he added. “It did not always mean medals or even placings, but the stepping up is progress.
Coach Myers concluded by saying, “Answering a challenge has its benefits often in unseen things on that particular day, but it makes us grow and grow stronger. We got stronger today as individuals and as a team.”
Girls Team Results:
Buhler 111
McPherson 100
Smoky Valley 71
Chapman 57
Scott City 46
Abilene 44
Southeast-Saline 35
Pratt 24
Ellsworth 24
Hillsboro 18
Concordia 16
Leon-Bluestem 10
Hutchinson Trinity
Boys Team Results:
Southeast-Salina 107
Chapman 75
Buhler 74.5
McPherson 68
Pratt 49.5
Scott City 46
Abilene 45
Smoky Valley 35
Hillsboro 12.5
Ellsworth 11.5
Concordia 3
Leon-Bluestem 0
Hutchinson Trinity 0
Smoky Valley Individual Results can be found HERE
