MEEKER | The Meeker High School track and field team competed this past weekend at the Demon Invitational, turning in several strong performances on both the boys and girls sides as the season reaches its midpoint.
Coaches said the meet reflected steady progress across the roster.
“Overall impressions of the team’s performance: it was a solid performance,” Meeker co-head coach Terrence Casias said. “We’re at the midpoint of the season now and all the hard work at practice is starting to show up during competition.”
Sophomore Ryan Hanberg led the Cowboys in the distance events, placing eighth in the 1,600 meters in 5:10.33 and fifth in the 3,200 meters in 11:27.34. Casias said the distance group continues to show consistent improvement week to week.
“The distance group has been impressive with their progress. Every week it seems like they are setting new PRs,” Casias said. “Ryan Hanberg took 11 seconds off his best time in the 1600 with a 5:10.33 and followed that up by taking two seconds off his best time in the 3200 with a time of 11:27.34. Jackson Steele took three seconds off his best time in the 1600 with a time of 5:56.96. Cameron Hanberg, after taking seven seconds off his best time last week in the 1600, was within a second of his best time this week with a time of 5:28.66.”
Junior Tucker Chinn finished 10th in the 300-meter hurdles in 46.86 seconds and added a ninth-place finish in the long jump at 17 feet, 2 inches.
The boys 4×200-meter relay team of Sam Smithers, Jake Grieser, Tucker Chinn and Lawson Anderson placed fifth with a time of 1:36.55.
Freshman Jake Grieser had one of Meeker’s top performances, finishing second in the high jump with a clearance of 5 feet, 8 inches.
For the girls, sophomore McKenna Berthelson placed seventh in the 100-meter dash in 13.92 seconds. Berthelson said the team continues to adjust and improve through relay changes and growing chemistry.
“Our 4×1 had a lot of really good talent incorporated in this specific team,” Berthelson said.
She added that roster changes have challenged the group to build stronger chemistry.
“We lost two seniors since last year, so that’s made us have to experiment with different relay teams, practicing and being close with one another, not just one set relay team,” she said.
Berthelson said trust and effort are key to relay success.
“I think the way to have a successful relay team would be to have faith in your team and work as hard as you can in practice and in the meet,” she said.
She added that while relays bring shared responsibility, they also bring shared pressure.
“With individual events there’s a lot more pressure put on just you, but with your teammates you all can help each other,” Berthelson said. “But there’s also some pressure that comes with having a team and running as best as you can to help your team.”
Berthelson said continued improvement has been a focus for the group.
“I think we’ve improved a ton even moving the relays around just by working with one another and getting used to how everyone works with each other,” she said. “And we’ve cut down our time each meet individually and as a team.”
Looking ahead, she said postseason goals are beginning to come into focus.
“With both the 4×100 and 4×200, we will have to see what our times are looking like, but I think we’re all really hoping to go to state at least in the 4×200 and hopefully the 4×100,” Berthelson said.
Senior Braydin Raley placed fifth in the 400 meter in 1:03.52.
In the 800 meter, junior Josey McClain led the Cowgirls with a fourth-place finish in 2:35.22. Casias said McClain’s consistency reflects her work in practice.
“Josey is a hard worker and very passionate about the 800,” Casias said. “She has high expectations for herself and has been really working on fine tuning her pacing and strategy for the race.”
Freshmen Tinlie Strate and Midy Camargo placed eighth and ninth in 2:45.74 and 2:47.93, respectively.
Meeker’s 4×100-meter relay A team of Berthelson, Julie Kracht, Addie Knowles and Raley placed fifth in the finals with a time of 55.06. The B team of Maria Lopez, Azalia Jessop, Jordyn Garcia and Valenzuela finished 10th in 58.56.
In the 4×200-meter relay, the A team of Berthelson, Kracht, Raley and Camargo placed sixth in 1:56.39, while the B team of Strate, McClain, Tacey Toon and Kinnley Smith finished ninth in 2:00.91.
Senior Rylee Sullivan placed seventh in the high jump at 4 feet, 8 inches. Sophomore Hailey Schwartz finished fourth in the triple jump with a mark of 31 feet. Senior Addie Knowles continued to lead the Cowgirls in the field events, placing second in the discus at 104 feet, 2 inches, third in the shot put at 30 feet, 6 inches, and third in the pole vault at 7 feet, 3 inches. Casias praised Knowles’ versatility and leadership.
“Addie has a strong work ethic and a great attitude,” Casias said. “It’s rare to have an athlete who competes in discus, shot put, pole vault, and relays, but she always finds time for each of her events at practice and really puts in the work to be great at all of them. Her positive attitude and level head during practice and at meets is another reason why I believe she has been able to consistently compete at a high level in multiple events.”
Freshman Raegan Clatterbaugh added a fourth-place finish in the discus at 91 feet, 8 inches.
Meeker will return to action this weekend in Silt at Coal Ridge High School on April 17, followed by a meet in Rangely on April 18. Both meets are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
Ryan Hanberg competes in a distance race earlier this season at a meet in Rifle. Hanberg turned in strong performances at the Demon Invitational, placing fifth in the 3,200 meters and eighth in the 1,600. JARED HENDERSON PHOTO
Tucker Chinn competes in the long jump during a meet earlier this season, this past weekend he soared through the air as he recorded a mark of 17 feet, 2 inches at the Demon Invitational. Chinn also competed in the 300-meter hurdles for the Cowboys. JARED HENDERSON PHOTO