State track shows achievement, disappointment
Members of the Marion High School track teams concluded their seasons, this past weekend in Wichita at the Class 3A state track meet.
Alan Vogel, one of three seniors who qualified for the meet, paced the Warriors with an eighth-place finish in the shot put. Vogel's throw of 48' 1/2" was one of his best as a Warrior.
"We had some good things happen at the state meet and some not so good things," head coach Grant Thierolf said. "Alan Vogel really finished his career well by making the finals in the shot put on Friday. He had his career best throw in the finals and just missed a medal. He competed very well and closed out his season and his career on a high note."
Steven Boone also competed in the shot put, but did not place, despite a throw of 43'6".
Freshman Casey Nelson vaulted 13' in the boys' pole vault to claim Marion's other eighth-place finish. Nelson, who edged out teammate James Davis in regional competition, had a great day at the state meet according to Thierolf.
"He was the only freshman in the field and wasn't fazed one bit by the surroundings," Thierolf said. "He missed a medal on misses at 13 feet. He cleared the height on his last attempt which left him out of the tie-breaking chances for a medal. He had a great meet and we look forward to great things from him in the next three years."
In the preliminary rounds of the 110-meter hurdles, Joel Versch found himself attempting to battle back into the race after an unfortunate late burst out of the starting blocks. The Cottonwood Valley League hurdle champ finished the 110s in 15.99 seconds, but failed to qualify for the finals on Saturday.
In the 300-meter hurdles, Versch finished in 45 seconds, but also was unsuccessful in his attempt to make the finals on Saturday.
"Joel got caught in the blocks in the 110-hurdles and just couldn't get back into the top four in his preliminary heat," Thierolf said. "His time of 15.9 was OK, but we were hoping that he would get a chance to run on Saturday.
"He ran in a fast field of 300 hurdlers and just got caught in the excitement of the day. He had a great season for us this year and we will miss his versatility next year," Thierolf added.
Long-distance specialist and senior Zac Ewert ran the 3200-meter run and finished in 10:51.09, but failed to place.
"Zac ran well Saturday morning, but he needed a great time in order to place," Thierolf said. "His first mile was right where it was supposed to be, but he couldn't keep pace after those first four laps. He had a great season and career for us, and will be missed by the cross country team as well as the track team."
Tyler Smith competed in the discus, and threw the discus 118'5". Smith did not place. Thierolf said he thought the field of competition was tough for Smith in the discus, and Boone and Vogel in the shot put.
"Tyler and Steven each threw in tough fields," Thierolf said. "They didn't have their best throws of the year, but they got the state experience and should be all the better for it next year."
Three Centre High School track team members made it to the finals at the state track meet. Medals were given up to seventh place.
Todd Stahlecker, a junior, placed in two events. He took sixth in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:02.76 seconds. He placed seventh in the 400-meter dash with a time of :53 seconds.
Justin Garrard, a sophomore, placed fifth in the 3200-meter run, with a time of 10:18.55. He improved his best time of the regular season by 20 seconds.
Laura Klenda, a junior, placed eighth in javelin but did not receive a medal.
Raschelle Jirak, a junior, missed going to the finals by one place. She was ninth in the semi-finals.
Coach Marc Grout was happy with the way the season went and the showing CHS had at the state meet.
He said a year ago Centre sent 10 to state but no one placed. This year, nine out of the 23 track members went and two placed.
"We're making progress," he said.
Noting that only two seniors will be lost to the team next year, Grout is looking forward to another successful year.
"We're looking forward to taking most of those kids back plus a few more next year," he said
