MEEKER I The weather for the Frank Woodburn Invitational track meet, held in Stocker Stadium on Saturday was not so good, but, according to Meeker head coach John Strate, the competition was, which included 17 schools from all five size classifications.
“The meet really challenged our team as the level of competition was very high,” coach Strate said. “Our times were not as impressive as last week due to intermittent rain showers throughout the day.”
Several Meeker boys and girls scored team points in the competitive meet and the Cowboys will next compete in Glenwood Springs on Saturday.
“Our girls’ relays teams continue to have success,” coach Strate said.
Meeker’s 800-meter medley relay team consists of Loran Casias, Sierra Williams, Gracie Bradfield and Maggie Phelan placed third as did the 4×200-meter relay team of Casias, Williams, Bradfield and Peyton Burke.
Burke and Phelan also scored team points by placing in individual events.
“Peyton had a strong showing in the 100-meter hurdles, finishing third with her season-best time of 18.09,” coach Strate said. “In the jumps, Maggie finished eighth in the triple jump (30-2.5) and she also set a personal record in the long jump with her mark of 14-5.
Coach Strate was also impressed with his freshman thrower Sydnie Main, who scored team points and set personal records in the discus and shot put.
“Sydnie had a big day; she set a personal record by 10 feet with her throw of 102-11, earning her seventh place in a crowded field of throwers,” Coach Strate said. “That throw will put her in contention for state qualifying. She did the same thing in the shot, with a personal best of more than three feet, throwing 32-5, placing eighth.”
For the Meeker boys, it was the distance runners and a thrower scoring team points. Meeker was led by Cowboy junior Austin Russell, who finished second in the 3,200-meter run, with a time of 10:40, and Marshal Pool finished fifth in the same race, 19 seconds behind.
“Both of those times should put them in contention for state qualifying,” Coach Strate said.
Russell and Pool teamed up with Josh Cochran and Clay Anderson in the 4×800-meter relay and they scored team points with an eighth-place finish.
Meeker junior Caleb Bradford threw the discus 124-10 and placed sixth. Bradford “barely” missed the finals in the shot put, but, according to his coach, he put the shot 40-2, a personal best.
The Cowboys will compete in Glenwood Springs on Saturday.
