Albany hosts Jr. high track
By Sam Waller
The Albany junior high track and field teams enjoyed a productive day Friday, March 24, as they hosted their final meet before district competition.
The junior high district meet will be held Saturday, April 1 at Hamlin. Field events will start at 9:00 a.m. with running events starting at 1:00 p.m.
Boys coach Ryder Peacock said the athletes have made good progress over the three meets they’ve attended.
“This was a strong finish for us as we head into the final week of the season,” he said. “I was really proud of their efforts overall and am excited to see what they are able to do at district.”
The boys teams had a good showing in field events.
“We took home medals in several different events along with top-six finishes in many more,” Peacock said. “On the track, the guys continued to improve their times.”
Among the highlights for the eighth grade boys were Jack Nail in the 200 and high jump, Wesley Gleitz in the high jump and shot put, Christian Hernandez and Connor Smith in the pole vault, Judson Rogers in the 800, Zane Green in the 100, and Britton Farmer in the triple jump.
For the seventh grade boys, Clay Chapman performed well in the high jump and long jump, as did Jakobi Roberson in the high jump and triple jump. Aiden Vickers did well in the pole vault and high jump, while Rush Kidd did so in the pole vault.
Both seventh and eighth grade teams had top finishes in the 400, 800 and 1600 relays.
Places were not provided.
For the seventh grade girls, Zoey George won the shot put with Madeline Stapp in third. Finlee Brown was second in the 100 with Stapp fourth. Cayla Green was third in the 1600 and fourth in the 400 with Tara Cauble seventh. The 1600 relay of Stapp, Cauble, Green, and Brown placed fourth.
In the eighth grade girls division, Albany won the 400 relay (Ashlyn Miller, Charlee Hefner, Brooke Richard, Zayne Lefevre) and 1600 relay (Hefner, Miller, Tatum Grady, Lefevre). Miller also won the high jump and 400.
The Lady Cubs also placed well in the sprints and field events. In the 100, Richards and Grady were both second in their respective heats with Hattie Braly third in hers. In 200 heats, Lefevre won hers with Hefner placing second and Richards third.
In the throwing events, J’Cee Keen was fifth in the shot put and sixth in the discus. Leah Glick was fifth in the discus.
In the long jump, Richards was second with Hefner third.
