As the Kearney Quad became the Kearney Tri, the competition didn't let up. The meet scheduled to have gone on last tuesday took place today with ideal conditions. As Kearney had their first meet of the year, Platte County and Smithville laced up their spikes for another day out on the track.
The action was quick and those who excelled made a mark on the state today.
On the guys side, Naron Rollins of Platte County had an excellent day, Rollins won the boys 100, 200, and anchored the boys 4x200/4x100. Rollins ran with ease winning each of his events by a substantial amount. Rollins went a blazing 11.18 in the 100, 22.82 in the 200, and then to cap it all off his team won with a 1:36.95 in the 4x200!
Platte Counties 4x100 meter relay also made a statement by winning the boys 4x100 with a 44.18! Placing themselves in the spot light as week two begins here in the 2012 track season!
Platte County boys swept the 200's today as Rollins won with 22.82 and was accompanied by his two teammates on the awards podium, in 2nd was Chandarius Taylor (23.40) and in 3rd was Ben Matthews (23.88)
Aaron Stephens, a Junior from Kearney, a 400 meter and triple jump specialist made his mark today in the 300 hurdles. Taking part in his first ever race that included hurdles, Stephens took this lengthy stride and successfully dominated the boys 300 Hurdles with a All-Missouri time of 42.57!! With that time, Stephens now has made his name known in the hurdling world. What makes this story even more mind blowing is about 45 minutes later he delivered a 51.7, 400 to anchor the winning 4x400 meter relay. "My Goal is to just keep getting faster and faster in it, I'd like to compete at state this year, so i just need to keep working and getting my steps down." Stephens said after his 300 hurdles debut.
Tyler Lamb continues to make his name known in the jumping world by securing a great win in the Long Jump. Lamb has proven to us time after time that he is a top contender for any meet and any level. today he enjoyed himself to a slim win over Platte County's Jaron Rollins. Lamb won with a 21-06 and was just victorious over Rollins who jumped 21-05. Also from Smithville, Caleb Thomas high jumped a season best of 6-02 today. To finish up the jumping trio, Andrew Duncan went out and also won in the Triple Jump, providing Smithville with a clean sweep in today's jumping events. Duncan,Thomas and Lamb have produced one of the top jumping trio's in the state this year and we are looking forward to observing them later this season.
Lamb and Duncan also left marks in the sprinting world, as they both competed well in the 100 dash taking 2nd and 3rd. Lamb ran a 11.32 followed by Duncan in 11.53.
Senior Travis Funk of Kearney also made a debut today in the Shot Put and Discus. Funk through 109-03 in the Discus and then a 45-00.50. His throws may not be terrific but with work and technique this guy could be a force to reckon with later in the season.
(Tuck, left, and Carlson, right)
On the Girls Side...The Smithville girls distance group did an excellent job of cleaning up well, winning the 1600 (Katie Tuck), the 800 (Leigh Carlson) and 2nd place in the 3200 (Katie Berger), the girls also won the 4x800 with ease pulling in an acceptable 10:24.32. Nearly a minute off their state performance last year, the girls have much more at hand for us, when speaking to them earlier the girls knew they had a win so they treated it as a workout. But some splits to watch out for include Katie Tuck who ran a 2:25 flat.
Katie Tuck went out behind Class 3 State Cross-Country Champion, Freshman Olivia Franklin. but going into the 4th and final lap, Tuck started her kick and pulled out a big win over the Cross-Country Champion. Tuck not only set a new personal best, but now she has placed her 1600 time as the time to beat in the Kansas City area for Class 3. In fact Tuck now has a dominate time in Class 3 all over the state, leaving her a threat and a legitimate option for one of the best distance girls in the state. Her 5:18.16 is one of the best in the state this year, and so far she has provided us a season best every meet thus far, leaving us all with a desire to see what else she can pull off!
Leigh Carlson of Smithville strutted her stride in the last 150 meters to defeat the Class 3 Cross-Country Runner up, and KU Commit, Jasmine Edwards of Kearney. Carlson sat in 3rd allowing her competitors break the wind for her until the last 150 meters. Carlson posted a flattering time of 2:32.91.
In the girls 3200 meter run, Freshman, Class 3 Cross-Country State Champion, Olivia Franklin, went out strong and proved her title worthy, by posting a tremendous 11:42.03 in the girls 3200 meter run. Franklin has shown dominance in class 3 but the challenge awaits her as Kearney now has moved to Class 4 in track and field. Franklin will have her first taste of some Class 4 competition this friday as the team travels to Blue Valley West for the Spring Classic Track and Field Meet.
The sprinters also found success, as Ivory Cohen and Alexis Whitney of Platte County went, first and second in the 100 dash. Cohen a dominate sprinter in the state went out and ran a 13.51 and her teammate was a step behind with a 13.64. Cohen then came away with a victory in the 200 dash with a 27.8. Platte County also proved they have depth as their 4x200 won with a 1:53.11, giving them a chip on their shoulder as they get ready to take on the upcoming competition.
Mignonne Rogers of Kearney cleaned up well in the sand pits, she won the long and triple jump. Rogers went 31-02.00 in the Triple jump and 15-03.50 in the long jump! Selina Kendall picked up the last jumping event and protected her HighJump domain with a great season opening 5-00.00, allowing us to see what else she may have in-store as she looks to make a run at the state title again.
Kylie Guthier of Platte County had a double win today with the shot and discus, Guthier posted a All-Missouri Throw of 35-02 and a winning throw of 97-05 in the discus. Guthier has shown us power and technique when it matters most, keep her name on your radar as the sesaon progresses!