In the track season opener last Thursday, Cody Williams bettered his 2016 third place state effort by three inches, winning the high jump in Grant with a Class C state-leading 6’8” mark. (Photo courtesy of Tandy Overstreet)
Jack Bauerle led the Longhorns in the shot put last Thursday, winning the event with a 49’7” throw. Teammates Hunter Bartels, Eli Hinojosa and Dakota Wallin finished second, third and fifth. (Johnson Publications photo)
In a new event for him, Scott Wheeler took the first place spot for the Longhorns in the 300 meter hurdles. (Photo courtesy of Tandy Overstreet)
Longhorn opener good test for boys’ team
Boys’ Coach Carl Zuege said last Thursday’s first meet of the track season was a good one to get under their belts before the larger meets start this weekend.
No team scores were tallied or medals awarded at the five-team Perkins County meet, but Chase County’s boys came home with nine first place finishes.
“The idea of this meet is to be able to get our kids in the events we want to take a look at without the pressure of a team score,” Zuege said.
Despite some of that pressure being off, Zuege said he was very happy with his team’s intensity and how they performed.
Besides the hosts, other teams at the meet were Wauneta-Palisade, Dundy Co. Stratton and South Platte.
Highlighting the meet for Chase County was the state-leading 6’8” effort from senior Cody Williams in the high jump, six inches beyond second place.
Williams was a bronze medalist at the 2016 state meet with a 6’5” jump, which had been his personal best.
“Obviously, Cody will have some up and down days, but that’s already a state championship calibre jump,” Zuege said.
Staying healthy and working on technique will be goals for Williams to continue to do well, Zuege added.
With the extended time needed for the high jump, Williams did not compete in the triple and long jumps, but also won the high hurdles, a new high school event for him.
Zuege said the throwers also had an outstanding day.
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