Friday’s 3A regional track and field meet in Lyons had plenty of good news for the Marion Warriors, with athletes qualifying for state competition in 11 events.
Marissa Jacobsen will be the busiest among the Marion contingent, having qualified individually by placing second in long jump and fourth in triple jump, and collectively with Sam Richmond, Sam Kelsey, and Marshelle Conley on the fourth-place 4x400 meters relay.
“Marissa had a very good day in the long jump and did enough in the triple jump to get to the state meet,” coach Grant Thierolf said. “Her experience in both events will really benefit her next weekend.”
The relay team ran its fastest time of the year by 8 seconds, with Jacobsen running a strong opening leg.
“The Sams took it from there,” Thierolf said. “Sam Richmond ran her best 400 of the year and then Sam Kelsey held us in the front pack. Marshelle Conley responded with an anchor leg we have come to expect and we sure do love.”
Kristen Herzet was a dual qualifier, placing second in discus and fourth in shot put.
“Kristen had a great day in the shot put, adding two feet to her personal best,” Thierolf said.
McKenzee Remmers earned a state berth in the 3200 by running a personal best time to finish fourth. Thierolf said Remmers had success by executing good race strategy.
Speedster Jack Schneider will compete in two sprints at state, placing third in the 100 and second in the 200.
Thierolf credited another sprinter, Tyler Arocha, for contributing to Schneider’s success.
“He has had the benefit of working with Tyler all year and they have pushed each other,” he said.
The discus ring at Wichita State will be familiar to Tyler Palic, who earned a return trip to state with a third-place finish. Thierolf called him “a legitimate contender for the top medal.”
Bryce Shults qualified for pole vault with a season-best performance that could put him in medal contention.
“Bryce had his best day of the year, finally clearing 13 feet for the first time,” Thierolf said.
Another season-best performance propelled Colin Williams into the state meet by finishing fourth in the 1600.
Thierolf characterized Friday’s regional as “the toughest regional in the state for class 3A,” and several Warriors turned in performances that would have sent them to state had they been competing at one of the other three sites.
The boys’ 100 was the best illustration of just how difficult the competition at Lyons was. All eight finalists ran times that would have put them in the 16-man state field, but just the top four from each regional qualify.
“We had some great performances that didn’t make it and some fantastic performances that made it,” Thierolf said. “We came through it in pretty good shape.”
The state meet is Friday and Saturday at Cessna Stadium in Wichita.