Clarion Area Track And Field Teams Sweep Union (04/17/19)

(Photo Submitted: Laken Lewis competing in the triple jump against Union)

The Clarion Area Track and Field Teams hosted Union, on Tuesday (April 17th), with the Lady Cats coming away with a one point victory 72-71 and the Bobcat Boys claiming a 100.5-39.5 win.Clarion took wins for both boys and girls teams.

Coach Rosary Pennington shared her thoughts on the meet:

We were happy to see several of our female runners coming back on strong. Freshman Evelyn Lerch won individual races in the 400 (1:01.8) and 200 (28.7) with solid times. She looked like she has had no time off. Phylicia Hockman was back showing her talents in the 800, qualifying herself for districts by running a time of 2:30.8. Lerch also ran a leg of the 4X800 relay (13:25). She was joined by Bella Scott, Gabriella Fleming and Grace Adams.

Scott ran two great distance races, taking first in both the 1600 (6:22.7) and 3200 (14:17.4).

In the jumps: Laken Lewis showed up again to contribute three first places for the team in the triple (33′-1″) and high (5′-0″) jumps and the pole vault (10′-6″). Wendy Beveridge won the long jump (15′-7″) and the 100 (13.4), the only event she competed in on the track.

We struggled a bit in the field to get points, but Rebekah Ketner (30’1″) took the shot put and Paola Lopez (24′-5″)added a third in the event. I am very proud  to see these girls work together and strategize events to come up with a team win.

The boys put up a lot of points, both on the track and in the field. They won the two relays that were ran for the boys today. Both relays consisted of Nick and Noah Schill, and Don Cunningham  with the fourth runner of the 4X800 (12:05.3) being Dan Ketner and the fourth on the 4X400 (4:40.0) being Josh Mitchell.   Nick Schill won the  3200 run with a district qualifying time of 10:47.9 and took third in the 1600 (5:27.6). Noah Schill also won the 800 (2:15.2). 

Nathaniel Lerch won the 1600 (4:57.6) and took second in the 3200 (12:03.9). For the fifth meet of six, our middle distance boys swept the 800, including Don Cunningham (2:23.0) and Jacob Smith2:25.8). Josh Mitchell contributed  second places in the 110 hurdles (20.6) and 300 hurdles (48.9) and a third in the 200 (27.9), his enthusiasm and improvement is impressive and even when running with an injury to his hand .

Gavin Brinkley racked up the points with four wins, including the 100 (12.3) and long jump (19′-2″), triple jump (39′-6″) and high jump (5′-8″). Beau Verdill helped by adding second in the long (17′-5″) and third in triple (35′-3″) and high jump (5′-4″).

Clay McElravy swept all three throwing events, shot put (40′-7″), discus (114′-3″) and javelin (112′-6″). His teammate Nate Kaltenbach took second right behind him (shot put – 32′-4.5″, discus – 99′-10″ and javelin – 84′-2″).

Clarion will compete at the Butler Invitational on Friday (April 18th).

(Thanks to Coach Pennington for the summary and to the team for the photo. Great work, Cats; have a great meet at Butler!!!!)