Panther boys track wins in Meeker

RANGELY —The Panther boys scored 150 points to win the Lynn Whiteman Invitational track and field meet defeating six other teams in Meeker over the weekend.
The girls’ team finished in third place with 91 points.
Between the boys and girls the Panthers won nine events and in the boys, scored in every event. The weather was a bit chilly so there were few great performances, but all in all, we improved over last week and seem to be getting into better shape. Event Champions included Audrey Hogan (800 – 2:35.46; 1,600 – 5:46.48), Victoria Phelan (LJ – 14; TJ – 28-7 1/2), Mark Hinaman (400 – 55.93), Hyrum Byers (1,600 – 5:14.30), boys 400-meter relay (45.65; Patrick Phelan, Hyrum Byers, Kanden Brady, Levin Boulger), boys 800-meter relay (1:40.40; Blake Mecham, Cole Barlow, Jacob Dubbert, Lewis Murray), and the boys 1,600 meter relay (3:55.20; Blake Mecham, Michael Morton, Jacob Dubbert, Lewis Murray).
Some of the top performances of the meet came outside of the event champions as only one of the winners had a personal best effort.
Hyrum Byers ran his best 1,600 meters by 10 seconds and is now running strong. Several Panthers had a strong meet by setting records in more than one event.
The throwers led the way by setting eight records. Rose Peterson threw her best in both the Shot and disc as did Trent Renshaw. Renshaw placed second in the discus and became the first over the 100’ mark by throwing 112-3 1/4. Kanden Brady set two records and placed second in the triple jump with a 39-5 effort. Levin Boulger ran his best in both hurdle events and took this years’ top performances in each event. Boulger is engaged in an intersquad struggle with Logan Osborne and the junior decided to step up this week. Osborne has a story of his own as he was convinced to be a distance runner this week. He was signed up to run the 3,200-meter relay and ran a strong leg. At the end of the meet, he volunteered to run in the 3,200-meters where he placed sixth.
The inspirational leader at the meet, however, was Landon Mecham. Landon threw his best in the discus and then also volunteered to run the 3,200 meters. Mecham gave a great effort and became a hero to the team. The boys gave Mecham the team trophy and had him lead the victory lap. The phrase “it didn’t kill Landon” will become a coaching phrase in Rangely for many years to come.
The next action for the Panthers will be at the Palisade Invitational this Saturday.