MEEKER | Meeker High School hosted the 1A/2A Western Slope League track and field meet Friday and Saturday to kick off the month of May, welcoming teams from across the region to the Cowboys’ home turf. Head coach Jordan Brown said she was proud of how the event came together and the way her team competed throughout the two-day meet.
“A collaborative effort ensured the smooth execution of the recent league meet,” Brown said. “Grand Valley’s Jason Arthur provided excellent organizational leadership, while numerous community volunteers offered crucial support. Meeker High School Track Team expresses sincere appreciation to its dedicated staff members – Greg Cravens, Zach Clatterbaugh, Les Woodward, John Strate, Amy Chinn, Amanda Back and Chris Selle – whose efforts behind the scenes were instrumental in the meet’s success.”
Competing at home gave the Cowboys the opportunity to perform in front of their friends and family while building momentum for the upcoming state championships in two weeks. The team came away with a series of personal bests and standout performances.
“The Meeker High School track and field team enjoyed a successful weekend at their home meet, marked by victories and numerous personal bests,” Brown said. “Tucker Chinn impressed with a personal best of 43.06 in the 300 hurdles, and Emmanuel Pinzon cleared a personal record of 10-0 in the pole vault. Personal records were also set by McKenna Berthelson and Alex Garcia in the 100, Taylor Garcia and Braydin Raley in the 400, Cameron Hanberg and Aiden Tapia in the 1600, and Ryan Hanberg, Cameron Hanberg and Haylee Steel in the 800.”
Senior Sam Hightower led the boys team, taking fifth in the high jump (5-8), sixth in the triple jump (38-11) and first in the pole vault (12-6). Hightower explained how he felt about all three events he placed in this past weekend.
“I was very happy to win the league again, especially at home,” Hightower said. “I was a little disappointed not to PR, but it’s OK because I still have two more weeks. I am focusing on pole vault for these next two weeks, but I still hope to do well in both other jumps as well and hopefully keep or gain a qualifying spot in those events.”
Senior Clay Crawford also placed in the pole vault, taking fourth with a height of 10-0. He explained what has been his biggest lesson and takeaway has been from his track and field journey.
“Track and field is a tricky sport because one week you could feel great and then the next you don’t,” Crawford said. “It has taught me to stay focused and motivated throughout the season in order to succeed.”
Sophomore Tucker Chinn took sixth in the long jump with a leap of 18-1.5. The boys’ 4×100-meter relay team of Crawford, Tyler Sanders, Sam Smithers and Sam Conrado finished second with a personal-best time of 45.95. The 4×200 team placed fifth (1:47.70), the 4×400 finished fifth (3:45.44), and the 4×800 team took seventh (9:16.64).
On the girls’ side, senior Adi Selle led the way, placing second in both the 300-meter hurdles (48.94) and high jump (4-11, PR). Selle explained whether or not she had any extra motivation or emotion knowing it was her final time on her hometown track last weekend, and how she felt about both of her performances.
“I just went out there with the mindset to give it my all,” Selle said. “I really just wanted to go out there and do everything for God and just shine His light as I compete. It’s such a privilege to just be able to walk on the track and do what I can do. I’m so grateful for both performances, and I still believe I can go further in both events and some relays.”
Senior Reese Clatterbaugh took sixth in the long jump (14-1.75, PR) and fourth in the triple jump (31-5.75). Clatterbaugh explained how she felt about both of her performances throughout the course of last weekend.
“I was pretty happy with my performances,” Clatterbaugh said. “I got a PR in long jump, so that made me happy. I was glad that the weather was nice. It was a fun last competition here.”
Senior Taylor Garcia placed third in the 200 (27.58) and fourth in the 400 (1:02.60). Junior Addie Knowles cleared 7-11 in the pole vault to place sixth and finished second in the discus with a throw of 106-3. Sophomore Ruth LeBlanc placed fourth in the shot put (32-7).
“It felt really good. I had just run the open 100 and had a lot of adrenaline, which helped a lot,” LeBlanc said. “Some key takeaways that I had this week were to have a good attitude, to focus on applying a few things the coaches say, and to stop overthinking it.”
Junior Braydin Raley placed fifth in the 800 with a time of 2:40.31. Raley explained a particular moment in the race that stood out to her whether it was mentally or physically.
“The 800 is a pretty miserable race in itself, but the last hundred sticks out to me because it’s where I feel the most competitive,” Raley said.
Freshman McKenna Berthelson placed sixth in the 100 (13.99) and reflected on competing in a major meet as a freshman.
“It’s hard mentally, but I always remember that I’m racing against upperclassmen that have been racing for many more years than me, which helps my mind ease on how I place,” Berthelson said. “I’m also very grateful for my experiences that I’ve had in only my freshman year.”
The girls’ 4×100 relay team — Garcia, Berthelson, Norah Loar and Selle — took first with a personal-best time of 51.65. The 4×200 team of Garcia, Raley, Knowles and Selle placed second in 1:51.07, also a PR.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys will compete at the Last Chance Meet hosted by Grand Valley in Parachute this weekend.
“The team’s primary focus will be on supporting athletes who are close to qualifying for the state championships,” Brown said. “Emphasis will be placed on individual events, as well as strategically working to secure state qualification for the boys’ 4×1 and 4×4 relay teams. Coaches acknowledge the dynamic nature of statewide qualifying marks in the coming weeks and are dedicated to ensuring Meeker athletes peak at the optimal time.”
This weekend will be the final opportunity for the Cowboys to earn state-qualifying marks. The team hopes to carry its momentum into the postseason. Best of luck to the Meeker Cowboys as they look for qualifying times and marks this weekend, and as always, go Cowboys!
