Shaw leads Trojans to state

Led by strong performances from sophomore Wes Shaw, Hillsboro’s track and field teams qualified for six boys’ and four girls’ events at this week’s state meet in Wichita.

In regional competition last weekend in Herington, Shaw won the shot put with a 50-foot heave, nearly five feet farther than the second-place finisher’s.

His winning discus throw of 141 feet 4 inches was nearly nine feet better than the second place finisher’s.

“Our athletes performed exceptionally well in some really tough weather conditions,” coach Dennis Boldt said. “The coaching staff is extremely proud of their efforts and are excited to take so many athletes to the state track and field meet this weekend.”

Shaw joins fellow qualifiers sophomore Kaden Ward, who placed second by just two inches in the high jump, second in long jump, and third in pole vault, and senior Jonathan Hinerman, who finished third in the 1,600-meter run.

The boys’ 4x400-meter relay also qualified by finishing fourth.

Overall, the boys’ team finished third among 16 teams.

Among girls, junior Sienna Kaufman led the way by narrowly winning the pole vault and placing fourth in the long jump.

Junior Abby Sechrist also qualified by finishing fourth in the 800-meter dash, and senior Brooklyn Wiens qualified by finishing third in discus.

The girls’ 4x800-meter relay team also qualified with a third-place finish.

Overall, the girls’ team finished sixth among 14 teams.

“Both girls’ and boys’ teams scored well,” Boldt said. “After competing in such a tough league, the athletes could see just how well they can perform against schools in our class.”

Hillsboro’s league this spring included schools from classes both larger and smaller than Hillsboro’s.

2A REGIONAL RESULTS

Other individual finishers:

Girls — Freshman Addie Berens, fifth in 300-meter hurdles, sixth in 100-meter hurdles, sixth in long jump, and sixth in javelin.

Senior Rebecca Kaufman, fifth in triple jump. Sophomore Eva Franz, seventh in 400-meter dash and 10th in triple jump. Freshman Roxana Nieto, 10th in 100-meter dash.

Boys — Junior Brodie Rathbone, sixth in long jump. Senior Travis King, sixth in 200-meter dash and seventh in 100-meter dash. Senior Garrett Funk, 10th in 400-meter dash. Sophomore Lane Flaming, 12th in shot put. Hinerman also finished firth in the 3,200-meter run.