The track team hosted the district meet this past Wednesday and Thursday and advanced a total of 38 positions to compete at the area meet.
“The determination and grit were so visible and great to see,” head girls coach Carly Littlefield said. “Almost every athlete took care of business and performed to the best of their abilities. So many of them had personal bests and outstanding performances.”
Juniors Leila Ngapout, Chloe Schaeffer, Amy Morefield along with freshman Mia Reaugh competed in the 4×400 meter relay and placed second with a time of 3:53.46. Reaugh, Ngapout, and sophomores Isa Camacho and Lauren Dolberry placed third in the girls 4×200 relay, running a time of 1:43.23.
“Getting out of districts is a big step in going far in track since it helps give the team and I confidence moving forward in those events,” Ngapout said. “We performed really well as a team in our 4×200 and 4×400 relays, and we hope for the same performance at area.”
The girls team swept the 800 meter and mile races. In the 800 meter, sophomore Kailey Littlefield placed first running a 2:19, Morefield finished second in 2:19.38 and senior Katie Armstrong came in third with a time of 2:20.51. In the mile, Littlefield came in first with 5:07.09, sophomore Sara Morefield placed second in 5:09.19 and Armstrong finished in third with a time of 5:16.87.
“We had so many athletes perform their best and PR both on the track and in the field,” Carly said. “It was awesome to see the grit and determination of these athletes.”
In the field, the team advanced fourteen events. Sophomore Jelai Johnson placed first in the shot put throwing 36-10. Junior West Wilson placed second in shot put throwing 47-3.50 and sophomore Nick Perez came in third with 44-7.75. In the pole vault, junior Sarah Salsgiver came in second clearing 10 feet and sophomore Brinley Ludlow finished in third clearing 8-6. Junior Lance Stubbs placed third clearing 11-6.
“The highlight of the field events was Jelai Jonhson having an awesome day and throwing a huge PR to win the Varsity District Shot Put,” Carly said. “We had so many athletes pull off an amazing performance in the field, both on the girls and boys side.”
The boys high jump team advanced all their athletes, and all three set new personal records. Sophomore Colston Adamson placed second and set a new school record of 6’6”, seniors Jayden Lawton placed third (6’4”) and Trey Pugh finished fourth (6’4”).
“We’ve had ups and downs throughout this season, but everyone was able to pull off a fantastic performance,” junior sprinter Jaxson Lavender said. “We all know that no track meet has ever been perfect, so through all the trials and mishaps we’ve been able to learn to overcome and be successful.”
Juniors Lavender, Mason Wallace, Kyle Parker and sophomore Parker Livingstone placed first in the boys 4×100 relay and set a new school record of 41.86 The boys 4×400 relay consisting of Lavender, Livingstone, senior Omari Murdock and Riley McGowan were also district champions and broke the school record running a 3:19.57.
“The success at the district meet means we have potential, and it means as long as we execute and do what we can do, we can be successful,” Lavender said. “We’re now focusing on doing whatever it takes to help us advance onto regionals.”
McGowan placed first in the 800 meter running a 1:57.17, and second in the 400 meter with a time of 48.67. Lavender advanced in the 100 meter running a 10.95.
“Districts is a nerve-racking meet, but I’m grateful and excited that we had so many events advance,” Ngapout said. “We know that area will be more challenging, but we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to compete at area.”
The team will set their sights on the area meet on Thursday. After that, the regional meet will follow April 29 and then state on May 13.
“We have been solid all season and we just turned it up a notch for district,” Carly said. “A lot of hard work and sacrifice. When you’ve put in so much time and effort, we want to make it worth it when it counts in our future championship meets.”
