MEEKER | The Meeker High School track and field team hit the road last weekend for its fourth meet of the season, competing at the Demon Invitational in Glenwood Springs. The Cowboys posted strong results, with the girls placing sixth and the boys finishing eighth out of 14 teams.
“It was a successful meet,” head coach Jordan Brown said. “We had several standout performances and personal bests.”
Senior Sam Hightower led the boys with a first-place finish in the pole vault, clearing 12 feet, 10 inches. He also took third in the triple jump with a 40-10.5 mark. Teammate Tucker Chinn placed sixth in triple jump (36-11.5).
“This week was really good because I focused on form in pole vault,” Hightower said. “Now I need to start working on bigger poles. For triple jump, I’m aiming to get back over 40 feet — hopefully wind-legal this time.”
Senior Alex Garcia placed fourth in the high jump at 5-8 and ninth in long jump (17-11.5). Chinn followed in 11th at 17-8.
“I’ve been working on jumping up instead of into the bar, and dropping my shoulders,” Garcia said. “I’m still chasing 6 feet.”
Several boys set personal records: Tristin Rollins in the 100-meter dash (12.66), Holt Pelloni in the 400 (1:02), Ryan Hanberg in the 800 (2:33) and mile (5:35), Aiden Tapia (5:43) and Cameron Hanberg (5:45) in the mile.
On the girls side, junior Addie Knowles won the discus with a throw of 109-8. Ruth LeBlanc placed fifth in the event (82-3) and second in the shot put with a 30-11 throw.
“I’ve been working to put everything together in the ring,” Knowles said. “It’s paying off, but there’s still room to grow.”
“It felt really good,” LeBlanc said. “I finally connected what my coaches have been saying. That shift in mindset gave me confidence for the rest of the season.”
Junior Hailey Schwartz had a breakout day with personal bests in the triple jump (30-6) and 400 (1:15).
Senior Adison Selle continued her strong season in the 300-meter hurdles, placing second with a time of 50.12.
“My mindset was to run my race and attack the hurdles,” Selle said. “I count my steps and treat each hurdle like a challenge to stay aggressive.”
Senior Taylor Garcia placed fourth in the 200-meter dash (28.02), followed by Norah Loar in 11th (29.65). Freshman McKenna Berthelson took ninth in the 100 (13.99).
“I was happy with my improvement,” Garcia said. “I have a strong start, but I need to work on my form down the stretch.”
Meeker’s relays also posted strong results. The boys’ 4×100 team (Sam Conrado, Tristin Rollins, Clay Crawford, Sam Smithers) placed fourth in 42.27. The 4×200 squad (Crawford, Smithers, Garcia) also took fourth with a time of 1:40.08.
For the girls, the 4×100 team (Garcia, Berthelson, Loar, Selle) placed fourth in 52.52, and the 4×200 team (Garcia, Knowles, Loar, Selle) finished fifth in 1:53.93. All relay times marked personal bests.
“The girls’ 4×1 has improved each week,” Brown said. “Warmer weather and focused handoff practice are making a difference.”
This week, the Cowboys face back-to-back meets — traveling to Coal Ridge on Friday and Rangely on Saturday. Many team members are also performing in the school play.
“Our strategy is to focus on relays at Coal Ridge and shift to individual events on Saturday,” Brown said.
Good luck to the Cowboys as they continue chasing personal bests during a busy week of competition.
