MEEKER I The Cowboys’ track and field teams traveled to Craig last Friday to competed in the annual Clint Wells Invitational meet and both the boys’ and girls’ teams did well, as did several individuals, including junior Austin Russell. With two weeks left before the 2016 Colorado State Track and Field Championships, several relay teams, as well as individual runners and throwers have qualified for the state meet, while others are still trying to move into the top 18.
Russell moved into the top 18, after winning the 800-meter run in Craig.
“Austin won the 800 meter run in dramatic fashion,” Meeker High School coach John Strate said. “He went from fifth to first in the last 100 meters and his time of 2:08.17 puts him in the top 18.”
Russell is a veteran distance runner and has already qualified for the 1600-meter run, a race he finished fourth in Craig.
Russell’s classmate Caleb Bradford also performed well in Craig and has qualified in both the discus and shot put. Bradford scored teams points with a third place finish in the discus and a fourth place finish in the shot put.
Cole Brown also scored team points with a sixth place finish in the 200 and freshman Gavyn Garr placed fourth in the 400.
Meeker’s freshman class also has many talented girls, including Gracie Bradfield, Megan Shelton and Kinzie Turner.
Bradfield has qualified in the 100- and 200-meter sprints and three relays. Shelton won the shot put in Craig and is currently qualified in the event and Turner improved her season best by more than 10 feet in the discus, scoring team points with a seventh place finish.
“We had some good things happen in Craig,” Coach Strate said. “The girls all had solid performances.”
Meeker’s 4×800-meter relay, consisting of Maggie Phelan, Julia Eskelson, Sierra Williams and Avery Watt, moved up to eighth, in the state rankings with their best time of the season (10.47).
“It was crucial they get a good time, so we can focus on some other things for the last two weeks heading up to the state meet.”
This week the team will travel to Grand Junction to compete in the Northwest League meet Friday and Saturday in Stocker Stadium.
