Sports editor
The usual suspects led the Hillsboro track and field squads Friday at the Mid-Central Activities Association League meet.
Dakota Kaufman and Tiffany Rooker helped the girls’ team take fifth out of 12, while Ishmael Morris, Nathan Vogel, and the relay teams lifted the boys to a third-place finish.
“The athletes from Hillsboro competed well today,” said head coach Dennis Boldt. “I felt we had great focus and determination throughout the meet and the results indicate this as well.”
Morris and Vogel, who routinely finish in the top two of their events, did so again at league.
Vogel won the 400-meter dash and was a member of the 4x400 and 4x800m relay squads that took first.
Morris won the 100 and took second in both the 200 and 400.
“Ishmael did a great job in the sprints,” Boldt said. “Vogel is your 400 meter MCAA champion and continues to do a stellar job in the two relays.”
However, the two were the only Trojans contributing to the success.
Matthew Klenda earned the only other Trojan individual gold with an 800m run time of two minutes, 7.81 seconds.
“Matthew ran a great race,” Boldt said. “He is a determined young man who has yet to hit his peak.”
David Loewen, Michael Klaassen, and John Hein were the other placers for the boys.
Loewen was fourth in the javelin, while Klaassen edged out Hein in the shot put for third place.
Klaassen’s best was 48 feet, 9.75 inches, while Hein finished at 46-6.
Boldt said it was exciting to watch Klaassen and Hein finish third and fourth in the event.
“These two have been battling all season and pushing each other to better performances each week,” Boldt said. “These are hard working guys who like to compete. They are very focused and determined to do well, and their results also are indicative of their efforts.”
The results were good for the girls’ team as well, even with top-athlete Dakota Kaufman competing with an injury.
The junior still took second in the javelin and triple jump, and third in the long jump. She also was a part of the fourth-place 4x100m relay team.
“We began the day limiting her jumps, but she felt better as the day went along,” Boldt said.
Rooker helped her team a day earlier when she was second in the pole vault. Marion played host to the pole vault championships because Sterling does not have a pole vault pit.
The senior also was fourth in the 400.
“These two have been consistent performers throughout the season and they both do such a great job in their events,” Boldt said.
Heidi Schroeder, Callie Serene, and Shelby Koons also contributed to the fifth-place finish.
The freshman Serene impressed Boldt with a fourth-place finish in the 800m run.
“Callie established herself as one of the best middle-distance athletes in our league with her fourth-place finish in the 800. She continues to gain confidence and develop her race,” Boldt said.
Schroeder set a personal record in the triple jump at 32-0.5 and took sixth.
Koons earned two medals as she took third in the 100 and fifth in the 200.
Boldt called it the best day of Koons’ career.
“Shelby is a very hard working young lady who deserves this type of success,” he said.
The Trojans now will turn their focus to Friday’s regional at Marion. Boldt said he is looking forward to competing on the familiar course.
“With good luck and healthy athletes I believe we have the opportunity to qualify many events,” he said.