By: Dresden Wilson @dreswilson22

Both the Girls and Boys Toreador track teams are at it again. On Thursday, May 12th, the girls and boys ran in Gilbert at the District track meet in hopes to extend their seasons. The girls sent nine events to the Blue Oval, and the boys sent twelve events as well.
For the girls state qualifiers, junior Diana Slight qualified in four events; the 100 meter dash (12.42), the 400 meter dash (57.78), the 200 meter dash (25.19), and the Long Jump (17’6”). Senior Claire Moline qualified in the 100 meter hurdles (16.19). Freshman Mady Danner is headed to Drake for two events- the 400 meter hurdles (67.86) and the Long Jump (16’6”). The Shuttle Hurdle team (1:09.23) also made it to state. This team includes Moline, Danner, junior Jada Wyrick, and senior Payton Lyons.
“Our shuttle hurdle team is going for the gold. We run barely a second behind Pella who is number one as of now. I hope to run a new PR in the 100 meter hurdles as well. As far as the 4x100 goes, if we qualify by time, our main goal is to PR. It's important to have clean hand offs, which is one thing we will be working on this coming week before state,” said Moline.
“I’m pretty happy with how things went, that’s for certain. We are going to fine tune some things like handoffs, starts, break lines for hurdles, and approaches for long jumpers. We don’t want to risk any injuries so we just maintain our level of fitness with some light workouts,” said Girls Head Track Coach Scott Kiesel.
The boys have twelve events headed to Drake Stadium. Junior Colbey Wadsworth took first in both the Shot Put (48’8.25”) and the Discus (139’). Senior Eli Hicks is a three event qualifier taking first in the 100 meter dash (10.99), the 200 meter dash (22.30), and the 4x100 (43.32). Members also in the 4x100 are senior Alex Vodenik, junior Kaden Sherrard, and junior Eli Johnson. Junior Lantz Reed captured first in the 110 meter high hurdles (14.66). Junior Devan Baldus was right behind him (15.37) stealing the other spot in the district, Baldus also claimed third in 400 meter hurdles (57.03) sending him to the big meet. Johnson seized second in the 200 meter dash (22.69). Freshman Tyler Casotti grabbed gold for the 800 meter run (2:03.74). The Shuttle Hurdle Relay (1:01.65) team of Reed, Baldus, sophomore Levi Wiggins, and freshman Brett Price took third and claimed their spot on Blue Oval.
“The competition was great and very competitive which gave me a good push to do my best. I'll be doing a lot of practicing one on one with Coach Smith this weekend and throughout the week to get ready for the big jump I'll have to make if I want to place,” said Wadsworth.
“I was very happy with how the team performed last night. We’re going to work very hard early in the week, and then taper off near the end for the meet,” said Boys Head Track Coach John Bachman.
The state qualifiers begin their pre-state practices this week as they prepare themselves to try and take the State meet by storm. The State meet starts on Thursday, May 19th, to Saturday, May 21st. Make sure to go support the boys and girls track team when they try to take the gold on the Blue Oval.
For the girls state qualifiers, junior Diana Slight qualified in four events; the 100 meter dash (12.42), the 400 meter dash (57.78), the 200 meter dash (25.19), and the Long Jump (17’6”). Senior Claire Moline qualified in the 100 meter hurdles (16.19). Freshman Mady Danner is headed to Drake for two events- the 400 meter hurdles (67.86) and the Long Jump (16’6”). The Shuttle Hurdle team (1:09.23) also made it to state. This team includes Moline, Danner, junior Jada Wyrick, and senior Payton Lyons.
“Our shuttle hurdle team is going for the gold. We run barely a second behind Pella who is number one as of now. I hope to run a new PR in the 100 meter hurdles as well. As far as the 4x100 goes, if we qualify by time, our main goal is to PR. It's important to have clean hand offs, which is one thing we will be working on this coming week before state,” said Moline.
“I’m pretty happy with how things went, that’s for certain. We are going to fine tune some things like handoffs, starts, break lines for hurdles, and approaches for long jumpers. We don’t want to risk any injuries so we just maintain our level of fitness with some light workouts,” said Girls Head Track Coach Scott Kiesel.
The boys have twelve events headed to Drake Stadium. Junior Colbey Wadsworth took first in both the Shot Put (48’8.25”) and the Discus (139’). Senior Eli Hicks is a three event qualifier taking first in the 100 meter dash (10.99), the 200 meter dash (22.30), and the 4x100 (43.32). Members also in the 4x100 are senior Alex Vodenik, junior Kaden Sherrard, and junior Eli Johnson. Junior Lantz Reed captured first in the 110 meter high hurdles (14.66). Junior Devan Baldus was right behind him (15.37) stealing the other spot in the district, Baldus also claimed third in 400 meter hurdles (57.03) sending him to the big meet. Johnson seized second in the 200 meter dash (22.69). Freshman Tyler Casotti grabbed gold for the 800 meter run (2:03.74). The Shuttle Hurdle Relay (1:01.65) team of Reed, Baldus, sophomore Levi Wiggins, and freshman Brett Price took third and claimed their spot on Blue Oval.
“The competition was great and very competitive which gave me a good push to do my best. I'll be doing a lot of practicing one on one with Coach Smith this weekend and throughout the week to get ready for the big jump I'll have to make if I want to place,” said Wadsworth.
“I was very happy with how the team performed last night. We’re going to work very hard early in the week, and then taper off near the end for the meet,” said Boys Head Track Coach John Bachman.
The state qualifiers begin their pre-state practices this week as they prepare themselves to try and take the State meet by storm. The State meet starts on Thursday, May 19th, to Saturday, May 21st. Make sure to go support the boys and girls track team when they try to take the gold on the Blue Oval.