Albany advances 15 to regional track meet
The boys and girls track teams both advanced two relays and several individuals to the Region I meet by placing in the top four positions at the area track meet last Wednesday, April 10 in Mertzon.
A contingent of eight boys and seven girls qualified to compete in a total of 11 events at the regional meet set for next Friday and Saturday, April 26-27 at South Plains College in Levelland.
The Lions are sending both the 4x200 relay and the mile relay teams to the regional meet after both placed fourth at area. Senior Cutter Edgar was unable to run on either team due to a pulled hamstring.
“Both our relays ran without Cutter at area, but we did qualify both,” coach Rod Britting said. “We are sitting in pretty good position in the mile with Albany and Stamford having the best times in the region through the district meets. However, our 4x200 relay is in the middle of the pack.”
The girls track team will be competing in the sprint and mile relays, which placed fourth and third respectively.
“Our sprint relay ran well, dropping another second,” said coach Lauren Peacock. “The mile was up in the air for us until the last minute because Jaleigh (Morales) had a hamstring bothering her. She ended up running and did a great job, but it was a stressful decision to make.”
The girls are advancing in three field events including the shot put, high jump, and pole vault.
“Sarah Cotter had a personal best 5-05 in the high jump to seal the championship, and Alli Hill also advanced with a fourth place jump,” Peacock said. “Caroline Masters once again won the pole vault, and Jaleigh set a personal record in the shot put to punch her ticket.”
The coach noted that freshman Ansleigh Garcia also finished third in the 300 meter hurdles to advance with her best time of the year.
The Lions are also moving on in three field events including the high jump, long jump, and triple jump.
“Colby Hargett was consistent over six feet again this week to win the high jump, and Robert Bailey also jumped well for third,” Britting said. “Cameron Dacus has the best jump in the long jump in the region, and Luke Ivy and Jaheim Newton both had personal bests for third and fourth to adance in the triple jump.”
The coach said that the jumping events will be very competitive at the regional meet, but the Albany jumpers have competed well all season and he expects they will continue.
Boys Area Results
*Denotes area qualifier
400 m dash – 7. Robert Bailey, 57.34.
800 meter run – 5. Luke Ivy, 2:17.99.
1600 m run – 7. Gregori Mikeska, 6:13.28.
4x200 relay – *4. Albany, 1:35.62. Ben West, BJ Morris, Blaine Kayga, Cameron Dacus.
4x400 relay – *4. Albany, 3:36.58. Ben West, Blaine Kayga, Cameron Dacus, Robert Bailey.
High jump – *1. Colby Hargett, 6-02. •3. Robert Bailey, 6-0.
Long jump – *1. Cameron Dacus, 21-10.50. 5. Jaheim Newton, 19-07.
Triple jump – *3. Luke Ivy, 41-07.25. •4. Jaheim Newton, 41-05. 6. Cameron Dacus, 39-09.50.
Girls Area Results
100 m hurdles – 6. Alli Hill, 17.29.
300 m hurdles – *3. Ansleigh Garcia, 53.02.
4x100 relay – *4. Albany, 52.35. Torie Fuentes, Sarah Cotter, Alli Hill, Jaleigh Morales.
4x200 relay – 7. Albany, 1:53.76. Sarah Cotter, Torie Fuentes, Carley Green, Jaleigh Morales.
4x400 relay - *3. Albany, 4:20.30. Sarah Cotter, Jaleigh Morales, Carley Green, Ansleigh Garcia.
Shot put – *4. Jaleigh Morales, 32-07.
Discus – 5. Jaleigh Morales, 92-08.
High jump – *1. Sarah Cotter, 5-05. *4. Alli Hill, 5-0.
Pole vault – *1. Caroline Masters, 9-06. 8. Taylor Scott, 7-0.
