MEEKER | More snow for another track meet did not stop the Meeker Cowboys from competing well, breaking school records, and many tracksters setting new personal records.
“It was a tough week of practice,” said head coach Hallie Blunt. “We had two warm days, but the seniors were gone, kids were sick, and then snow.”
(Left) Connor Blunt finished the final leg of the boys 4×100 meter relay. (Center) Chase Callahan set another PR in shot throwing 39 feet even. (Right) Graycee Cravens took sixth and was one of three Cowboy throwers that placed. She set a new PR with a distance of 83 feet 6 inches. | TIFFANY JEHOREK PHOTOS
At the Glenwood Springs Invitational, Brighton Bair brought home two top seventh placings, in the 1,600-meter run she placed fourth with a time of 6 minutes 7.3 seconds, and in the 800-meter run she placed seventh.
“Zoe Baldozier keeps trying new things and this week she tried high jump,” said Blunt. “In her first jump in practice she cleared 4 feet 9 inches. She will get there, but it was cold and the girls’ high jump is always the first thing in the morning.”
Baldozier placed sixth, clearing a height of 4’5”. For the boys, Jon Cardile took sixth clearing 5’5” and Sam Hightower took 7th going 5’3”.
“I am hoping that I can get Kris Casey to come and help the high jumpers just a bit,” commented Blunt.
“Coach Cravens is doing an excellent job with the throwers,” Blunt said. “Graycee Cravens had a great personal record and placed in discus, Brendan Clatterbaugh threw his best ever in disc, Chase Callahan had another PR in shot, and Judd Harvey did great placing.”
The throwers had three placers this week, in disc Graycee placed sixth with a throw of 83’6” inches, Harvey placed seventh, and Clatterbaugh took sixth, throwing 115’3” in disc.
“Many of our girls were missing as they were taking the ACT, I am guessing this was true for many of the teams that were there,” said Blunt. “We were missing our relays, vaulters and jumpers for the girls, but the boys did really well for each.”
“Shane Phelan, our jumping coach, works so well with the kids, and Hightower had an amazing PR this week,” said Blunt.
Hightower took sixth in triple jump, with a distance of 38 feet even.
“Our boys’ relays did well and I think we have found our teams,” commented Blunt. “The 4×200-meter relay did great, and the 4×100-meter was OK. We had a mistake, but they still took fourth and will only get better.”
The 4×200 relay of Cardile, Gabe Smithers, Callahan, and Austin Lopez took seventh and the 4×100 relay of Casey Brink, Harvey, Clatterbaugh, and Connor Blunt took sixth.
Pole vault was supposed to be Friday, but the weather delayed the event until late Saturday after the long jump was over.
“Dana Pollock does such a great job with the vaulters and it is paying off having her come down from Rangely every day and practice with us,” said Blunt.
Brink broke the school record of 12’3” by four inches going 12’7”.
“Pole vault is a sport that requires absolute confidence in your abilities in order to succeed,” began Brink. “The school record jump was a product of practice, but also mental preparation and visualization. Visualization builds the energy and confidence necessary to perform a vault you have never previously achieved. After completing the jump, the feeling of momentum commits me more to the sport.”
“He was very close to making his attempts at 13’, and I think he is there and with a great week of practice ahead I hope we see him clear it at Coal Ridge,” commented Blunt.
“I am thankful to have a coach who is just as passionate and devoted to my progression,” commented Brink. “I am also fortunate to have dedicated vaulters on my team who bring similar energy to the sport. Watching my teammates and sharing feedback amongst each other improves areas of my vaulting as well.”
Brink took first with his school record vault and Connor, who had a multi-inch PR took second, vaulting 10’11”.
This week is a two meet week for the Cowboys. Friday they will travel to Coal Ridge in Silt and Saturday Rangely.
“Looks like our weather may not be great once again,” said Blunt, “we haven’t ran but once this year when it was above 32 degrees. Friday the vaulters will get another chance and the kids really like the Rangely track as they say it is fast.”
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
