By MARK GLESINGER
Picture perfect weather greeted the Alliance St. Agnes track teams on Saturday, April 10. The Crusaders began their year in ideal conditions, taking part in the Chadron Invite. Around 500 athletes from 11 schools participated in the meet. St. Agnes then traveled to Bayard on Monday, April 12 for the Bayard Invite. Mother Nature turned the tables on the Crusaders in Bayard as St. Agnes competed in cold and windy weather. In both meets, Alliance had some nice performances. Eighth grader Josie Sanders was the Crusaders top finisher, winning gold in three events at Chadron and winning the 100 hurdles in Bayard. Her winning time of 18.5 was an Alliance school record. Also winning first at Chadron was Jayda Backous who won the high jump with a leap of 4’4. Alliance also took first in the mile relay with a time of 4:59. Joining Sanders and Backous were fellow 8th graders Kealee Jelinek and Macey Seebohm. Top performer of the boys was Payton Boyer who medaled in all three of his events at Chadron.
Results from Chadron
Eighth Grade Girls 56 Points Fourth Overall
First
Josie Sanders 200 hurdles 33.0
Josie Sanders long jump 14’3
Jayda Backous high jump 4’4
1600 relay 4:59 Jayda Backous, Kealee Jelinek, Macey Seebohm, Josie Sanders
Second
Macey Seebohm 800 2:47
Third
Macey Seebohm long jump 12’8
Fifth
Macy Brooks high jump 3’2
Seventh Grade Girls 25 Points Sixth Overall
Second
Alexis Libsack triple jump 25’8
Third
Ande Girard shot 20’9
Fourth
Jozlin Dexter triple jump 24’1
Abigail LeMunyan 400 1:13
Fifth
Jozlin Dexter 100 hurdles 20.8
Sixth
Ella Wirth 100 hurdles 22.07
Eighth Grade Boys 12 points Seventh Overall
Second
Payton Boyer high jump 5’0 3’4
Fifth
Payton Boyer 200 27.2
Payton Boyer long jump 16’2
Seventh Grade Boys 20 points Seventh Overall
Third
Garrett Myers 100 hurdles 20.4
Holden Libsack 200 hurdles 35.9
Fourth
1600 relay 4:55 Isaac Baker, Mason Hamilton, Andrew Benzel, Asher Saka
Fifth
Mason Hamilton triple jump 25’6
400 relay 1:00.8 Devin Graham, Garrett Myers, Holden Libsack, Asher Saka
Results from Bayard
Girls 36 points Seventh Overall
First
Josie Sanders 100 hurdles 18.5 new school record
Second
Josie Sanders 800 2:56
Third
Medley relay 5:19 Jozlin Dexter, Jayda Backous, Josie Sanders, Macey Seebohm
Macey Seebohm long jump 13’6
Fourth
Macey Seebohm 400 1:11
Sixth
Jayda Backous 200 hurdles 38.6
Jozlin Dexter 100 hurdles 20.8
Boys 10 points Ninth Overall
Third
Payton Boyer high jump 5’0
Fourth
Medley relay 5:12 Jory Matulka, Asher Saka, Garrett Myers, Payton Boyer
“We couldn’t ask for better weather in Chadron and then it was pretty cold and windy in Bayard. Both teams competed very well against some really good and bigger schools. I was proud of our younger boys at Chadron, placing in both relays! It was a good start and we hope our times and distances will continue to improve,” said Coach Mark Glesinger.
The meet in Gering on Saturday, April 17 was canceled, so the Crusaders will next be in action on Tuesday with a home meet followed by a meet in Kimball on Thursday. A busy week ends with St. Agnes competing in the Western Conference meet in Alliance on Saturday.