‘Successful’ Cowboys head to state track

MEEKER I “Successful” is how head coach John Strate described the last regular season track meet hosted by Grand Valley last weekend. “We had a great meet for those that are not going to state and there were a lot of personal bests.”

The team started out the weekend with the pole vault on Friday. First time vaulter Gabe Richardson had a great day, clearing 7 feet 7 inches in his first time going over a bar.
“It will be fun to see how he does the next three years,” Strate said.
Cooper Main continued to improve and solidify his spot at the state track meet with his vault of 11-7. Main has improved six inches each week for three consecutive weeks. Kelton Turner took first place for the first time this year with his vault of 12-1.
“I can’t wait to see what all four of our boy vaulters will do at the state meet,” continued Strate.
On Saturday the boys 4×200-meter relay started the meet ranked 25th in the state; after posting an excellent time of 1 minute 34.44 seconds they are sitting at sixth heading into the state meet. That team consisted of Andy Kracht, Porter Hossack, Tannen Kennedy and Spud White, and this will be the same team representing Meeker in the 4×200 relay at state. There are seven relays between the girls’ and boys’ team headed to state.
Jeremy Woodward was sitting 21st heading into the Grand Valley meet in the triple jump. He had marks good enough to put him in the top 18 and qualify for state, but the wind was blowing and he struggled to get one below the legal wind limit of 2.0 meters per second. The breeze let up just enough and he was able to post a mark that qualified him.
Sydnie Main has been missing from the last few track meets due to a knee injury. This week the team found out she will be able to throw shot put and discus at the state meet, she has qualified in the shot, disc, and vault, but due to her injury she will only be throwing. Megan Shelton will be making her fourth trip to state throwing both shot and disc, and for freshman Hailey Knowles this will be her first appearance and she will also be throwing disc.
The Cowboys had a great meet for those not going to state as well, with lots of personal bests. Senior Pake Burke ran an excellent time in his 300-meter hurdles, taking off more than three seconds since the beginning of the year. Brayden Woodward also competed in his last meet as a Meeker Cowboy and hit a personal best in the 110-meter high hurdles. Freshman Ryley Butler had personal bests in both the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash; she has taken a full second off of her 100 dash time since the beginning of the season.
“Overall the team performed very well and the majority of our kids had personal best times,” Strate concluded.
Colorado State Track and Field will begin Thursday, May 16 at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood. Field events for 2A begin at 1:30 p.m. for the Cowboys and track events at 2 p.m.

2019 State Qualifiers
Girls
Megan Shelton-Shot, Disc, 4×100-meter relay
Sydnie Main-Shot, Disc, Pole Vault (Not competing due to injury)
Hailey Knowles-Disc, Alternate 4×400-meter relay
Kenzie Turner-Pole Vault, Alternate 4×100 relay
Gracie Bradfield-100 dash, 200 dash, 400-meter run, 4×100 relay
Sarah Kracht-4×100 relay, 4×200 relay, 800 meter medley
Savannah Mendenhall-4×100 relay, 4×200 relay, 800 medley, 4×400 relay
Aspen Merrifield-800 medley, 4×200 relay, Alternate 4×400 relay
Karlee Nielsen-800 medley, 4×400 relay
Kirstin Brown-Triple Jump, 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay, Long Jump
Julia Dinwiddie-100-meter hurdles, 4×400 relay, 300 hurdles
Boys
Tannen Kennedy-4×200 relay, 4×400 relay, Alternate 4×100 relay
Spud White-4×200 relay, 4×400 relay, Alternate 4×100 relay
Tevin Pelloni-Pole Vault
Cooper Main-Pole Vault,
Kelton Turner-Pole Vault, 4×100 relay
Colby Clatterbaugh-Pole Vault, High Jump, 4×400 relay, Alternate 4×200 relay
Andy Kracht-4×100 relay, 4×200 relay, Alternate 4×400 relay
Jeremy Woodward-Long Jump, Triple Jump, 4×100 relay, 4×400 relay
Porter Hossack-4×100 relay, 4×200 relay, Alternate 4×400 relay

By TIFFANY JEHOREK
Special to the Herald Times