Boys take third at state track
Staff writer
What a difference a day makes.
The Hillsboro High School track team along with the other state qualifiers had to endure the high temperatures and pounding heat conditions on Friday during the KSHSAA state track and field meet at Wichita State University Cessna Stadium in Wichita.
But on Saturday, temperatures were reported in the low 70s with northerly winds and a few raindrops that called for a less than perfect day for a track meet.
WSU officials reported that attendance for both days were approximately 25,000 and that Kansas holds the largest high school state track meet in the nation.
HHS Trojans boys managed to score 39 points and take a third place plaque home from the state meet.
After finishing fifth and sixth in the long jump and fifth in the pole vault on Friday, the team had eight points.
"It was a roller coaster ride from then on, as we watched the team standings," coach Dennis Boldt said.
According to Boldt, there were two key factors for the boys' third place finish. The first was the triple jump finishes and the 4x400 meter relay.
"We knew going into Saturday's final that we needed a good day in order to have a chance of placing," Boldt said.
Early Saturday morning, Trojan sophomore Sammy Espada and Derek Mayfield came through for the Trojans. Espada jumped 43 feet and 4.75 inches to receive a second place medal and Mayfield received a seventh place medal with a 42 feet and .25 inch jump.
"Both competitors scoring in the triple jump earned our team nine points, but more importantly it gave our athletes hope," Boldt said.
"Having a track team in position to finish in the top three places, it creates an entirely different atmosphere among those competing — an entirely different focus. I saw that in our boys' eyes," he said.
The team was competing against Norton, Oakley, and Southeast of Saline for third place. Beloit ended up taking first with 55 team total points followed by Riley County with 48, Hillsboro 39 to round out the top three finishes.
On the track, senior Alan Yoder advanced from the preliminaries in the 100 meters dash. He placed sixth in the finals with a time of 11.22.
"I know he was disappointed in his finish," Boldt said "He did not get a good start and his start is what gives in the edge on the competition."
Alan finished his career with medals in each of the three events in which he competed.
"He has been our senior leader all season and Friday and Saturday's competition was no different."
Aaron Yoder placed seventh in the 1600 meter run and placed eighth in the 800 meter.
Brother Daniel Yoder placed third in the 400 meter dash and third in the 800 meter run.
The 4x100 meter relay team of Alan Yoder, Tyler Peachey, Brodie Unrau, and Caleb Marsh placed fourth in the finals with a time of 44.3
To seal the third place victory, the boys' team had to finish strong tin the 4x400 meter relay — the last event of the day.
The team of Tyler Peachey, Aaron Yoder, D. Yoder, and Marsh placed fourth in the event with a time of 3:28.24, sealing the team's third place finish.
In the girls' division, senior Alisa Jost and sophomore Charity Davis were state qualifiers.
"These girls have done a super job all season," Boldt said.
Jost, running in the 400 meter dash, did not place to advance to the finals. But qualified for state each of her four years in high school according to coach Boldt.
Davis competed in her second state competition qualifying for finals in the 100 meter dash. Davis competed in the long jump and in the 100 meter finals on Saturday.
"Going into the finals, Charity was in third place in the long jump," Boldt said. "Between the prelims and finals, she placed fifth in the 100 meter dash."
According to Boldt, Davis returned to the long jump competition, all the other competitors had finished their final jumps, Boldt said.
"Charity knew she was still in third place, and with a leap of 16 feet 9.25 inches, she move up one position to finish second," he said.
"She had great focus despite having her events coincide."
The team ended its 2003 season at the state meet. Boldt said he was proud of the way his team has worked hard all season. He also acknowledged the efforts of his assistant coaches and support of the fans throughout the season.
Kansas state track meet at wsu
5-30-03 and 5-31-03
Boys' team results: 1. Beloit 55; 2. Riley County 48; 3. Hillsboro 39; 4. Thomas More Prep 34.5; 5. Norton 33; 6. Southeast of Saline 31; 7. Oakley 28; 8. Lakin 25; 9. Neodesha 22; 10. Bluestem 20; 11. Central Heights 20; 12. Northern Heights 18; 13. KC Christian 18; 14. Smith Center 18; 15. Minneapolis 15; 16. Halstead 14; 17. Southwestern Heights 13; 18. Yates Center 13; 19. Cheney 11.5; 20. Belleville 11; 21. Hoisington 11; 21. Belle Plaine 10; 22. Osage City 10; 23. Cimarron 9; 24. Ellsworth 9; 25.
Individual results: 100m — 6. Alan Yoder 11.22. 400m — 5. D. Yoder, 51.58. 800m — 3. D. Yoder, 1:58.64; 8. Aaron Yoder, 2:01.64. 1600m — 7. Aaron Yoder, 4:39.23. 400m relay — 4. Al. Yoder, Peachey, Unrau, Marsh, 44.3. 4x400m relay — 3. Peachey, Aaron Yoder, D. Yoder, Marsh, 3:28.24. Long jump — 5. Al. Yoder, 21' 3 1/4"; 6. Marsh, 21' 2". Pole vault — 5. Marsh, 13'; 12. D. Yoder, 12'. Triple jump — 2. Sammy Espada, 43' 4 3/4"; 7. Derek Mayfield, 42' 1/2".
Girls' team results: 1. Lakin 66.3; 2. Conway Springs 44; 3. Belleville 38; 4. Northern Heights 33; 5. Beloit 30; 6. Sabetha 29; 7. Wellsville 24; 8. Riley County 21; 9. Nemaha Valley 21; 10. Atchison 20; 11. Minneapolis 18; 12. Jayhawk-Linn 18; 13. Holcomb 17; 14. Osage City 16; 15. Fredonia 15; 16. Silver Lake 15; 17. Independent 14.3; 18. Phillipsburg 14; 19. Halstead 12; 20. Smith Center 12; 21. Hillsboro 11; 22. Lyons 11; 23. Hesston 10; 24. Cheney 9; 25. Cimarron 9; 26. Norton 9; 27. Rossville; 28. Belle Plaine 8; 29. Ellsworth 8; 30. Central Heights 7; 31. Rock Creek 5; 32. Eureka 3; 33. Southeast-Saline; 34. Wabaunsee 2; 35. Ellinwood 2; 36. Yates Center 2; 37. Immaculata 1; 38. Oakley 1; 39. Neodesha .33.
Individual results: 100m — 5. Davis 12.86. Long jump — 2. Davis, 16 9 3/4".
