MEEKER | The only full home track meet for Meeker had to be canceled due to weather last Friday. Instead, the Meeker Cowboy track team was hosted by Grand Junction at the Colorado Mesa University for the Mickey Dunn Invitational.
“I really thought it was going to be a large meet with the number of track meets in our area that had to be canceled, but it ended up being a nice, well-run meet,” said Head Coach Hallie Blunt.
The pole vaulting was held on Friday while the rest of the field and running events took place on Saturday.
“We are so lucky to have an indoor facility where the kids can get in good practices for pole vault,” Blunt said.
Reese Clatterbaugh placed third with a height of 6 feet 6 inches.
“Jayda May also participated and did a great job,” commented Blunt.
Casey Brink set another personal record with his 12 foot vault and took fourth place. Connor Blunt placed sixth with a height of 10’ 6”.
“Thunder Ridge High School from over on the front range was there and they have an excellent program. Their kids really did well in vault and all the events, even after a six hour trip to get to Grand Junction,” said Blunt.
Thunder Ridge’s Aaorn Kucinski vaulted 14’ to take first place.
“Even with our practices I started the kids early at a lower height than what they would normally come in to give them some extra tries,” commented Blunt. “My thought was that this early in the season it would benefit them to get some more vaults in a competitive atmosphere. Brink, Connor, and Brendan Clatterbaugh all looked like they could have cleared another 12 inches from where they finished. It is a great start.”
The track team in general has only spent a handful of days actually practicing on the track.
“We can condition inside but can’t truly practice everything like discus, our handoffs, and a full 400 or 800. I think that is why our personal best times have been lower, but as the season progresses and we get more time outside, the times will decrease and the kids will be very competitive,” Blunt said.
Results from the Mickey Dunn Invitational for those placing in the top six:
Girls 4×100-meter relay took fifth place, the team included Jayde Turner, Clatterbaugh, Natalie Kracht, and Ellie Hossack. Triple jump, Clatterbaugh, third, 29 feet 6.75 inches.
This Saturday the entire team will travel to Gypsum to participate in the Eagle Valley Track Invitational.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
