The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

Leopards hit the track at home district meet

Junior+West+Wilson+throws+the+shot+put.+Wilson+placed+second+in+shot+put+and+first+in+discus.+
Olivia Lauter
Junior West Wilson throws the shot put. Wilson placed second in shot put and first in discus.

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.”

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About the Contributors
Margo Friloux, Section Editor
Entering her final year on staff, Margo is excited to work with her Co-Sports Editor and Leopard Life alum, Will Doig. This year is bittersweet to Friloux. She is ready to soak up the rest of her high school years in the newsroom. Out of the newsroom, Friloux is hoping it up, hanging out with friends, going to Braum's, watching “Grey’s Anatomy” or “Star Wars” and hanging out with her sisters. Friloux is an avid Harry Styles and Anakin Skywalker fan. She gets the chance to see her idol, Mr.Styles, in concert this year, and she is determined to make him fall in love with her. In school, Friloux is a part of the Patient Care Technician (PCT) class, NHS, LARK and basketball. Although she’s still shedding tears over the retirement of Parker and Lindsey, she and Doig are still carrying on the Leopard Life legacy. Live. Laugh. Love. TRL. 
Olivia Lauter, Section Editor
Heading into her fourth and final year in TRL, senior Olivia Lauter could not be more thrilled to soak up every last minute of shooting sports, events and portraits for her favorite publication. Lauter has spent every day of her high school career with a camera around her neck, and you won’t catch her without it until graduation day. As well as being the photo editor for TRL, Lauter is a varsity cheerleader and involved in PALS and NHS. When she’s not on the sidelines with her camera or cheering on the Leopards, Lauter is with her friends, who she adores more than life itself. You will probably hear “last time, best time” and how “bittersweet” senior year is continually from Lauter this year, but she is just excited to spend one more year doing what she loves alongside the people she loves on TRL.

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