MEEKER | The Meeker High School track and field season is underway, with the team beginning practice on Feb. 24. This season marks the first for head coach Jordan Brown, who takes over for former head coach Hallie Blunt. While Blunt is not coaching this year, she will occasionally assist with pole vaulting. The Cowboys also welcome a new throws coach, Megan Shelton, to the program.
Several returning athletes are expected to make an impact this season, including seniors Adi Selle (hurdles), Alex Garcia (high jump), Sam Hightower (pole vault), Taylor Garcia and Braydin Raley (800 meters and relays), and Reese Clatterbaugh (triple jump). One of the team’s biggest meets will be the league championship, which Meeker will host on May 2-3.
Brown expressed excitement about the season, particularly for the returning athletes.
“I am excited for our returning athletes who had breakout performances last year and to see where they will go this year,” Brown said. “I am also excited to have 45 athletes out, some who started track their freshman year and took a few years off but are now returning as juniors and seniors.”
The Cowboys competed in their first meet of the season on March 14 at the Rifle High School Invitational, where several athletes earned top finishes.
In the girls’ relays, the 4×100-meter team placed 11th with a time of 58.40 seconds, while the 4×200-meter team finished fifth in 2:04.19.
Senior Adi Selle placed fifth in the high jump, clearing 4 feet, 6 inches. She reflected on her performance and the techniques she is focusing on improving.
“It was pretty cool. I wasn’t really expecting a ton out of it, but after seeing what I could do, it’s definitely something I want to focus on,” Selle said. “I want to improve kicking my feet and just the overall technique because the high jump is such a technique-oriented event. I think with more time and help from Coach Brown, I can clear more heights.”
Selle also placed 14th in the long jump with a mark of 12-9. She was followed by teammates Shailee Rundberg (23rd, 11-5) and Iris Holmes (24th, 10-7.5).
In the triple jump, senior Reese Clatterbaugh finished third with a jump of 31 feet. She was pleased with her performance despite the challenging weather conditions.
“I feel like I met my goals, especially considering the snowy, cold weather,” Clatterbaugh said. “I jumped 31 feet, and for a first meet, that is really good. I was hoping to jump somewhere around that distance, so I am quite happy with my performance.”
