Dangerous Dozen: Warriors qualify 12 for state track meet years ago
Sports reporter
Falling just one point short of winning a home track regional may upset most coaches. But Marion High School head coach Grant Thierolf looked at it in a different light.
"If one would have told us before the meet we would have finished second," Thierolf said of his boys' team, "we would have been very happy with that."
Still it's hard to come that close and not be upset. Thierolf even conceded he felt his team could have come up with two more points somewhere, but it just didn't happen. Either way he was elated with his team's performance.
"What a great day of track and field," he said.
Thierolf also was happy because his girls' team, which wasn't supposed to compete because of numbers, finished fourth with 60 points.
"Our girls placing fourth was the highest we have had in a number of years and we could not have asked for anything more from this group of young ladies," he said.
However, it was the boys' team that stole the show by contending for the title and sending a total of seven athletes in seven events this weekend to the state tournament.
Shawn Britton (shot put), Emmanuel Jackson (long jump), Russell Ploutz (triple jump), Jeremy Vondenkamp (110 and 300-meter hurdles), Gavin Moore (3200m run), and Ploutz, Moore, Jason Hett, and Justin Heidebrecht (4x800m relay) will represent the Warriors Friday and Saturday in the state tournament in Wichita.
The team scored a total of 65 points, tied with Wichita Independent and one point behind champion Hillsboro.
"Our young men were one point out of first," Thierolf said. "But that does not take away the fact we are very proud of our young men and the effort they gave."
One of the biggest efforts was from Vondenkamp who won the 110m high hurdles and took second in the 300m hurdles.
After taking seventh at state last year, the senior will be a heavy favorite this weekend.
"He has a chance to win two medals and two events and he is focused and ready to do so," Thierolf said.
Ploutz, who just missed out qualifying for the long jump, will head to state after finishing second in the triple jump. Jackson, who Thierolf said saved his best jump for last, took second in the long jump and will head to state alongside Ploutz.
Britton will be the only MHS thrower at state after taking third in the shot put.
"He has led our men in the throwing events this season and has done a great job," Thierolf said. "He will be in contention for a medal."
The distance runners were impressive for the Warriors as well, running away with the 4x800m relay event.
Ploutz, Gavin Moore, Justin Heidebrecht, and Jason Hett took first place in the race, and Moore was first in the 3200m run.
"They were flat outstanding," Thierolf said.
The coach said Moore kicked into high gear at the end of his race to take first.
"He is so focused right now that nothing will keep him from having a great state meet," he said.
Thierolf couldn't think of enough nice things to say about his boys' squad, and knows they will compete hard this weekend.
He also knows the same effort will come from the girls' team which qualified five athletes in seven events.
Junior Erin Carr, who has carried the girls' team this season, will run in the 100 and 200m dashes, and compete in the triple jump.
After just missing out last year in the triple jump, Carr will have a little chip on her shoulder his weekend.
"She will do very well at the state meet and is poised to really have some breakout performances," Thierolf said.
Danielle Cope and Toni Gordon will be heading to Wichita for the second straight year in the same events.
Gordon will compete in the discus after taking second at regionals, and Cope will run in the 3200m run after recording the winning time Saturday.
"Toni came out like we expect seniors to do and threw her best throw of the season in the meet that matters the most," Thierolf said.
Cope won't be the only long-distance Warrior at the meet. Freshman Camille Christensen will be a part of the 1600m run after taking first at regionals.
"Camille and Danielle really gave the home crowd something to cheer for," Thierolf said. "They each won and fed off one another's success this year."
The final girls' qualifier, Erin Richmond, will be pole vaulting for the first time, and just missed throwing the javelin as well with a fifth-place regional finish.
Earlier this year she set a school record after clearing nine feet, six inches, and was tied for second Saturday with a leap of 8-6.
"She has a great chance of placing at state," Thierolf said.
After one of the best regional performances for both teams in a decade, Thierolf and his coaching staff are eagerly anticipating Friday and Saturday.
"We are very proud of our athletes," he said. "They performed magnificently."
state event times
friday
3 p.m. - Erin Richmond, pole vault.
3:20 p.m. - Jeremy Vondenkamp, 110m hurdles.
3:45 p.m. - Erin Carr, 100m dash.
4:30 p.m. - Toni Gordon, discus.
6:05 p.m. - Vondenkamp, 300m hurdles.
6:15 p.m. - Shawn Britton, shot put.
6:35 p.m. - Carr, 200m dash.
saturday
8:30 a.m. - Danielle Cope, 3200m run.
11:30 a.m. - Emmanuel Jackson, long jump.
11:50 a.m. - Gavin Moore, Justin Heidebrecht, Russell Ploutz, Jason Hett, 4x800m relay.
2:40 p.m. - Camille Christensen, 1600m run.
3 p.m. - Ploutz, triple jump.
