Longhorn boys’ track continues to dominate district

For the fifth year in a row the Chase County boys’ track team brought home the championship plaque from the district track meet in Sutherland.
The Longhorns beat runner-up Gordon-Rushville 108.5 to 71.3.
CCS qualified seven individuals and one relay for the state track meet.
Heading to Omaha for CCS are Kade Anderson, 110 meter high hurdles; Easton Fries, 300 meter hurdles; Brit Gockley and Carter Leibbrandt, pole vault; Cedric Maxwell, 400 meter dash; Clay Meeske, 800 meter run and Dawson Mollendor, 100 meter dash.
CCS will also send its 400 meter relay team of Brandon Mintling, Ryan Bernhardt, Chase Rowley and Mollendor.
Head Coach Carl Zuege said the district meet always seems to have its share of ups and downs.
The coach felt CCS may have let an opportunity or two get away in qualifying in at least a couple more events, but qualifying 10 athletes for Omaha and winning the team title were great accomplishments.
Points trickled in slowly early in the day, but the Longhorns gained momentum as the meet went on.
“There was a stretch there starting at the beginning of finals where we really seemed to get going and to put ourselves way out ahead in the points race,” Zuege said, pointing out Mollendor’s win in the 100, then placing all three entries in the 110 hurdles.
“Right after that we also placed three in the 800 and then took two more places in the 300 hurdles. In that stretch we also qualified four guys, so we had quite a bit of momentum at that point,” he said.
The weather was the only thing to slow the Longhorns down.
Lightning during the girls’ 1,600 meter run sent everyone to shelter. Rain and a small bit of hail kept the meet on hold.
Zuege said the break wasn’t too much of a factor and everyone was in the same boat.
“I do think that we came back out after the rain delay a little bit stale, but every team had to deal with that, so I really didn’t see it as a disadvantage. Probably the most disrupting thing about the weather was the wind. All of the times in events longer than a 200 were certainly affected,” Zuege said.
Chase County fans were the last to leave Sutherland, as many stuck around to celebrate the boys’ and girls’ team championships, which, Zuege said, shows the pride  everyone has in the track program.
“Winning effort and work ethic are passed down each season by the upperclassmen, so to have sustained success means that we seem to be successfully passing down our tradition and culture each year, which is really awesome to see as a coach,” Zuege said.
State meet Friday, Saturday
With last year’s track season cancelled due to COVID-19, Zuege asid he’s thankful first of all to have the opportunity to return to the state meet.
“There are still states where kids aren’t getting that opportunity, so we are pretty blessed here in Nebraska,” Zuege said.
Looking at the schedule, Zuege said CCS has some pretty tough heat and lane assignments in prelims on Friday, but he thinks the Longhorns have a group of kids who will go compete to their fullest ability.
“I think that will result in us bringing home at least a few medals. More than anything I would like to see our seniors go out on a high note and our underclassmen gain some very valuable experience for the future,” Zuege said.

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