Two Boone Central/Newman Grove Cardinals captured gold medals at Hartington Saturday in the always-competitive Mid-State Conference Track & Field Championships.
With limited team numbers, Boone Central/Newman Grove did not challenge for team honors, but the Cardinals posted a number of impressive individual performances that left Coach Kris Pestel pleased.
“Once again, the conference meet was a good one filled with great performances,” Pestel said. “As a team, we were able to have 20 personal bests – 10 each for the boys and girls. We also had two conference champions – Cody Nelson in the high jump and Jessie Sullivan in the discus.
“I’m proud of how our kids competed. We have to keep working and building for district and state competition.”
Nelson matched his senior season best of 6’2 to win the conference high jump at Hartington. Sullivan, also a senior, recorded a season-best 168’7½ to win the discus, and placed second in the shot put with a throw of 50’5.
Freshman Jordan Stopak was runner-up in the 1600 meter run (5:41.64) and 3200 meter run (personal best 11:54.91). Crofton’s Haley Arens won both events.
Freshman Jonny Lindgren also had a strong performance in the boys’ distance events, placing third in the 1600 meters (4:54.05) and 3200 meters (personal best 10:31.49.
Sophomore Lauren Hedlund was third in the 100 meter dash (13.43) and 200 meter dash (27.65), while freshman Samantha Weeder took third place in the 800 meter run (2:26.93) and fourth in the 400 meter dash (1:03.74).
Card junior Jon Merten snared third place in the shot put (45’11½) and discus (142’1½) competitions.
The Boone Central/Newman Grove girls also got a runner-up performance in the 4×400 meter relay, as Autumn Simons, Marysa Duerksen, Hedlund and Weeder posted an Albion News area best time of 4:23.83.
(Photos, Jeremy Buss)
Complete results in Print & Online editions of Albion News
