MEEKER | Meeker Cowboy state track qualifiers began their competition Thursday afternoon, but not before a two hour rain delay shut down the meet.
In typical track meet fashion, multiple events for the Cowboys were happening at the same time, beginning with the boys’ pole vault.
“The boys all warmed up together, but there was not a lot of space for them to continue to stay warm in the very cold and plummeting temperatures,” commented head coach Hallie Blunt.
Brendan Clatterbaugh opened the weekend at a height of 10 feet 7 inches, a height that just until the week before had been one inch above his personal record (PR).
“I was so proud of Buzz, all of us coaches noticed how calm he was during competition,” said Blunt.
Connor Blunt came in at 11’7”, and also clearing his opening height. Connor was unable to make 12’1” which would have placed him in the top nine and he would have made the podium.
“Connor has had a great year, continuing to improve his PR and I would like to thank Dana Pollock for all the work she has done with all the pole vaulters from both Rangely and Meeker,” commented Blunt.
Casey Brink cleared his first height by more than two feet, flying over the bar. His final height which secured him second place was 13’4 ” and was another PR and Meeker High School record. Brink broke the school record held by Kelton Turner early in the season and since that original record breaking vault he broke it one more time before breaking it again at the state meet.
The girls 4×800-meter relay of Brighton Bair, Jayde Turner, Ellie Hossack and Taylor Garcia had only ran their relay one time before they stepped onto the JeffCo track. The 4×800 is one of the few races that is only run once and is considered final. The lady Cowboys were seeded in the bottom half of the top 18 and started towards the back of the pack. They held third place for multiple laps before finishing seventh.
“Brighton ran her fastest lap and set a new PR, as did Jayde,” said Blunt, “you could see Ellie fighting to maintain her position, she is small, but has a ton of heart and held the other runners off, in the final lap Taylor, who is also smaller, was running against some older, much bigger, and extremely strong anchors from the other teams. She did a great job holding her position.”
“Coach Terrance Casias called it, he studied the girls’ times and knew these girls could get it done,” commented Blunt, “it was a fun race to watch.”
Friday opened with boys shot put. Judd Harvey, who came in at number 13, threw within two inches of his PR. Rain began to pick up when Harvey finished his prelims during the next flight, but he was busy running the 4×100-meter relay with his team.
Both the boys and girls qualified a 4×100 team. The girls were Ellie Hossack, Jayde Turner, Adi Selle and Ainsley Selle; the boys were Brink, Harvey, Clatterbaugh and Connor.
“Had both of our teams run what their fastest time had been, they would have both made finals,” said Blunt. “I am super proud of the kids, they have worked all year long and Kirk Hossack has done a great job with our relays.”
Once the 4×100 was over Harvey learned he had made finals. Ten boys compete in the finals, with the top nine making the podium. Harvey was able to do what he needed and placed ninth.
“Greg Cravens, our throwing coach, has worked hard with all of the kids. It was fun to have the entire team their to watch Judd throw and score some team points,” commented Blunt. “Class 2A is very competitive and had it been 1A or even 3A we would have been taking at least one more Cowboy thrower to the state meet.”
The final Cowboy event of the meet was the girls 4×400-meter relay. This relay is ran by Turner, Adi, Bair and Garcia.
“The girls all ran and really strong race, it is a hard one, and they did a great job,” said Blunt.
“We are so lucky to have such a great coaching staff, I could not have done everything I did without Clea Steerman who kept us organized,” commented Blunt. “Jordan Brown, who is the head coach for the middle school team, also helps us. She does a great job getting those kids ready for high school and we are lucky to have her help us.”
The Cowboys will graduate a handful of seniors: Brink, Blunt, Bair, Nora Gianinetti and Jon Cardile who qualified for the state meet, and Austin Lopez and Chase Callahan.
BY TIFFANY JEHOREK | Special to the Herald Times
