Junior Halie Smith, senior Ashlynn Bader and sophomore Megan Bygland highlighted Boone Central’s day at the B-4 District track & field meet in O’Neill May 8, qualifying for the 2008 Nebraska State Championships.
Smith and Bader ran an impressive 1-2 in the 3200 meter run and Bygland placed in the top three of both hurdle events, leading the Lady Cardinals to a fifth-place finish in the team standings.
“As they have all year, the girls competed very well in an extremely competitive district,” praised Boone Central Coach Kris Pestel. “The goal in track & field, for whatever level you are at, is to improve your time, height or distance and we had 22 personal bests Thursday in the district meet.
“These girls have gotten better and better throughout the season and we, as coaches, are very pleased with their efforts.
“Of course, we’re very proud of Halie, Ashlynn and Megan for their accomplishment of qualifying for state. Great job!”
Boone Central’s most impressive event at O’Neill was certainly the 3200 meter run, where Smith basically went wire-to-wire for her district gold medal. The Card junior took an early lead and methodically opened the gap throughout the race, lowering her Albion News area best time by nearly six seconds in the process (12:32.2). Bader ran a gritty race and personal best, placing second to earn a fourth straight trip to Omaha (12:39.0).
Against several of the top hurdlers in Class B, Bygland qualified for the state meet for the second consecutive year. The swift sophomore lowered her area best time in the 300 low hurdles by a tenth of a second (48.6) while placing second and took third in the 100 highs (16.2).
Complete Details from District Track in Print Edition of the Albion News.
