Four Marion High School track and field athletes placed Friday and Saturday in their events at the 3A state meet in Wichita.

Junior Whitney Gordon tied for third in the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 2 inches — one notch lower than her personal best set May 20 at Regionals.

“She tied for the top height jumped but placed third due to misses at a lower height,” coach Grant Thierolf said of Gordon.

Thierolf said he was glad Gordon will back for another season. Her efforts off the track have been equally important to her improvements on the track.

“She has become a very good leader of the girls and keeps everyone loose during practice and meets.”

Sophomore Jordan Hett placed fourth in the 3200-meter run, with a time of 10 minutes, 17.81 seconds, and seventh in the 1600, 4:42.10.

“Jordan had a great weekend in a senior-dominated field; he was the highest finishing underclassman,” Thierolf said. “He has such an unbelievable ceiling that I really think he will be one of the best in the state next year.”

Freshman Kaelyn Thierolf placed seventh in the girls 3200 with a time of 12:20.98. She also finished 10th in the 1600, 5:41.36.

“She had her sights set on medaling in both races but just came up short,” coach Grant Thierolf said. “She ran as well as any freshman we have ever had.”

Junior Colten Johnson, sophomores Corey Shields and Patrick McCarty, and freshman Alicia Maloney also competed for the Warriors but finished outside of medal contention. Marion did not have a senior state competitor.

“We are pleased that all of our state entries return for another year and I really believe that we can be very good in the coming years,” coach Thierolf said.

Thierolf said McCarty was Marion’s first male sprinter to qualify for the state tournament in 20 years.

Other Results

Shot put — 10. Shields, 33-1.5

Pole vault — 11. Maloney, 8-0

Pole vault — No height, Johnson

400 — McCarty, 54.23