Junior high track teams compete at Bronco Relays
By Sam Waller
After two weather cancellations, the Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs track teams finally got a taste of competition Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Bronco Relays in Breckenridge.
The teams returned to action Monday, March 3 at the Cross Plains meet. Results will be reported next week.
The Breckenridge meet was a ribbon meet with runners in each heat receiving a ribbon. Official results and team points were not kept. The main factor was finally facing outside competition.
“This was a highly competitive meet as there were some larger schools competing,” boys coach Ryder Peacock said. “The main thing we got accomplished was getting the kids on the track and runways and letting them compete. Being able to see what the kids can do in a competitive atmosphere versus practice lets us see where kids might fit as we move forward.”
Girls coach Ashlyn Bevel expressed a similar opinion.
“We were very proud of how the girls ran,” she said. “They’ve been working hard, and it was nice to finally get out and run. We’ve been stuck in the gym the last two weeks because of the weather, but they got out and competed hard and came home with some ribbons.”
In the seventh grade boys division, Peacock noted the efforts of Parker Rose in the pole vault and Creed Spencer in the high jump. In the seventh grade girls division, Albany took the top four spots in the shot put.
“On the track, the guys competed well,” Peacock said. “Adrian Salazar and Iathan Torres ran well in the shorter sprints, while Parker Rose did a good job in the 400. This meet will help us as we move forward on trying to get these guys into the events they need to be in and where they can help us at the district meet.”
Peacock said the eighth graders were more of a known quantity.
“We already had a good idea of where kids could slot in,” he said. “The main thing for them was seeing how much stronger and faster they have gotten over the past 12 months. All three of our relays ran well for the first time out, giving us an idea of where we are and where we want to get to.”
Bentley Boyett was noted for his performance in both both hurdle races, while others ran well individually.
In field events, Ace Townson won the pole vault, Sam Tidwell was second in the shot put, Jacob Thurman and Josh Thurman went 2-3 in the shot put, and Blake Britting was third in the high jump.
