Junior High Competes in Divisional Meet
The junior high track teams traveled to Tribune on Thursday, May 3, for the NWKL Divisional Meet. After experiencing a rain delay shortly after the meet began, the teams returned to competition in cool breezy weather. Though the conditions were far from ideal, the young track athletes turned in many fine performances. The meet was the first of the season competed in four divisions. St. Francis athletes won several events including the following: Mia Morrow - 8th girls 100 meters and triple jump; McKenna Poling - 8th girls long jump; Jeanie Strick - 8th girls 100 hurdles and 200 hurdles; Angela Ramirez 6-7 girls discus; Talexa Weeter - 6-7 girls 800 meters; Shannon Rethke - 8th boys 100 meter hurdles; Ben Busse 6-7 boys 3200 meters, and Rhonald Neitzel - 6-7 boys 400 meters. The St. Francis 8th girls 4 X 400, the 6-7 girls 4 X 100 and 4 X 400, and the 8th boys 4 X 400 meter relays teams also earned first place finishes.
8th Grade Girls Division
The 8th grade girls division was won by Wallace County with 66.5 team points. St. Francis was second with 61.5. Rawlins County placed third with 52 and Greeley County 4th with 40.
St. Francis athletes placing in the meet are listed below.
Jordyn Faulkender - 4th in discus (59' 4"), 5th in shot put (27' 2")'
Hadleigh Hilt - 4th in triple jump (26' 3"), 5th in long jump (11' 5.5")
Lyden Lampe - 2nd in 1600 meters (7:23.51), 2nd in 3200 meters (15:14.68), 4th in long jump (12' 0.5")
Mia Morrow - 1st in 100 meters (13.89), 1st in triple jump (30' 3")
McKenna Poling - 1st in long jump (13' 8.5"), 3rd in 200 meters (31.01)
Hailey Robbins - 3rd in 1600 meters (7:29.26)
Jeanie Strick - 1st in 100 meter hurdles (17.43), 1st in 200 meter hurldles (32.94)
4 X 100 meter relay - 2nd (59.41) - Mia Morrow, McKenna Poling, Hadleigh Hilt, and Jeanie Strick
4 X 400 meter relay - 1st (5:22.64) Lyden Lampe, Mia Morrow, Jeanie Strick and Hailey Robbins
6th & 7th Grade Girls Division
The 6th-7th grade girls division was won by Wallace County with 71 team points. Rawlins County placed second with 60 points. St. Francis earned third place with 56.5 team points. Greeley County was 4th with 29.5.
St. Francis athletes placing in the meet are listed below.
Molly Gilliland - 3rd (tie) in shot put (24' 10"), 5th in discus (58' 0")
Jesslynn Houtman - 3rd in triple jump (27' 2")
Ellee Krien - 2nd in 400 meters (1:11.42), 4th in long jump (11' 6.25")
Makaila Matthies - 3rd in 1600 meters (7:50.66)
Anglea Ramirez - 1st in discus (65' 6"), 2nd in shot put (29' 9")
Talexa Weeter - 1st in 800 meters (3:10.93)
Rian Zimbal - 3rd in 100 meters (14.59)
4 X 100 meter relay - 1st (1:03.64) - Rian Zimbal, Janie Ramirez, Jesslynn Houtman and Jackie Milliken
4 X 200 meter relay - 2nd (2:17.42) - Anglea Ramirez, Janie Ramirez, Rian Zimbal, and Jesslynn Houtman
4 X 400 meter relay - 1st (5:17.76) - Ellee Krien, Rian Zimbal, Jacki Milliken, and Jesslynn Houtman
8th Grade Boys Division
Wallace County won the 8th grade boys division with 57 team points narrowly edging Rawlins County with 54. Greeley County placed third with 40 points and St. Francis 4th with 25.
St. Francis athletes placing in the meet are listed below.
Eli Mills - 2nd in 1600 meters (6:42.92), 3rd in 200 meter hurdles (35.54)
Cutter Neitzel - 4th in long jump (6' 4"), 5th in shot put (19' 3.75")
Shannon Rethke - 1st in 100 meter hurdles (19.06), 4th in long jump (14' 6.5")
Caleb Todd - 4th in triple jump (20' 11")
6th & 7th Grade Boys Division
The 6th-7th grade boys division was won by Wallace County. Rawlins County placed second with 65.5 team points. St. Francis took third place with 46.5 points while Greeley County earned 36 points for fourth place.
St. Francis athletes placing in the meet are listed below.
Ben Busse - 1st in 3200 meters (13:11.45), 4th in 400 meters (1:12.71)
Garrett Helton - 2nd in triple jump (29' 7.75"), 4th in 100 meters (14.36)
Rhonald Neitzel - 1st in 400 meters (1:08.95)
Colton Raile - 2nd in discus (73' 7")
Connor Wachsmann - 3rd in discus (71' 11")
Preston Witzel - 2nd in 200 meters (30.00), 4th in high jump (4' 4")
4 X 100 meter relay - 2nd (56.18) - Garrett Helton, Rhonald Neitzel, Colton Raile, and Preston Witzel
4 X 200 meter relay - 2nd (2:28.11) - Cris Espino, Connor Wachsmann, Seth Tumbelson, and Aiden Fernandez
4 X 400 meter relay - 1st (4:39.97) - Ben Busse, Colton Raile, Preston Witzel, and Rhonald Neitzel
The junior high track teams will complete their season at the Northwest Kansas League Track and Field Meet in St. Francis on Thursday, May 10. (If the weather is bad on May 10, the meet will be held on Friday, May 11.)
