MEEKER I On Saturday April 7, the Meeker High School track and field team returned to competition for the first time after spring break. While some teammates showed a little rust, others were able start where they left off. Once again, the scoring of Toby Casias led the boys’ team. Toby was able to secure a second place finish in the 100-meter dash and run a new season best of 11.65, despite chilly temperatures during the morning events. Casias was also successful in scoring points for the team in the 200-meter dash, where he once again ran a season best time, earning a third place finish behind two athletes from 5A Fruita Monument High School.
The boys’ 4×100 meter relay team consisting of Sebastian Clarke, Jake Phelan, Tala Atoafa and Casias earned third place points and ran a season best time. Clarke also earned points in the 100-meter dash with a new personal record of 11.80, while Phelan earned fifth in the triple jump. A promising performance was turned in by the young 3200-meter relay team of Lathrop Hughes, Aaron Cochran, Caleb Lange and JC Henderson. They improved their previous time by more than 20 seconds, and look to keep improving throughout the season. Henderson also had a career best performance in long jump. The boys’ team is very fortunate this year to have veteran leadership and a good strong group of young athletes that will keep building throughout the season.
On the girl’s side, the day was highlighted by the return of triple jump state champion Kathryn Doll who missed the first two meets of the season. Doll started out right where she left off in the long jump, leaping to a new career best of 17-2. She not only won the event, but her mark puts her in contention to be very competitive at the state level. Doll also won the triple jump with her mark of 35-5 and anchored a girls’ 4×100 meter relay that looks like they have the potential to be very competitive. Running with Doll on the 4×100 were Adrienne Wix, Sydney Hughes and Aly Ridings. Hughes again made her presence noticed taking off three seconds in the 300-meter hurdles running a 52.01 and placing sixth. Aly Ridings also scored in the 100-meter hurdles placing fourth. Bailey Atwood again led the female throwers. Atwood earned second place in the shot and fourth in discus with Ohana Mataia narrowly missing finals. The distance crew for the girls also had a solid day with Jordan Smith and Katie Harman earning new personal bests in both the 1600 and the 800. Both the squads will travel to the Coal Ridge Invitational on Friday, and the Demon Invitational in Glenwood Springs on Saturday.
