Staff writer
Emily Sechrist won three of Hillsboro’s five medals from the state track meet this weekend at Wichita State University.
She competed in the long distance 800, 1,600, and 3,200-meter races.
“Emily continued to build her legacy as an elite state competitor,” coach Dennis Boldt said. “She posted one of her best times in the 1,600-meter race to finish third. She technically ran very well and always keeps herself in contention for first place.”
Sechrist finished second in the 3,200-meter and seventh in the 800-meter.
“I cannot be more proud as well as impressed with this young lady as she continues to prove herself as one of the state’s premier distance runners,” Boldt said. “We look forward to continue to improve on her performances again next season.”
Grant Knoll competed in two individual events to bring home a medal for his effort in the 1,600-meter race Saturday by placing seventh. He placed 11th in the 3,200-meter.
The team’s final medal was won by Marah Franz in the pole vault. She finished second with a vault of 10 feet.
“I have confidence she will eclipse that height and even more as she continues next season,” Boldt said.
Her jump at state places her in the ranks of the top competitors in the state.
Avery Franz came short of qualifying for the finals of the 400-meter dash and fouled during each of his three attempts at triple jump. After he was awarded an additional jump after it was ruled that he was mistakenly fouled on his third jump, he was advanced to the finals with a jump that could have placed him in first. However, during a series of protests and appeals it was ruled he should not have been awarded an additional jump and was not allowed to advance to the finals.
“Even though I will continue to go on the record and say that the event officials did what was initially correct in awarding him an additional jump, it was not viewed that way by the games committee,” Boldt said. “Avery and his family handled this most difficult situation with great composure.”
Tara Proffitt finished 11th in the 400-meter dash preliminaries on Friday and Taylor Vogt also finished 11th in shot put with a throw of 32 feed, 6½ inches.