Warriors place in six events at state track meet
Sports reporter
It was another day to remember for the Marion High School track and field teams Saturday as the girls' and boys' squad earned medals in seven events.
The girls' team racked up 30 points and tied for fourth, while the boys scored 10 points and tied for 19th.
"Our girls did all they could to bring home a trophy, and to come up one point short was a little frustrating," head coach Grant Thierolf said, "but we could not have asked any more from our young ladies."
Especially the four who competed in the 4x100-meter relay. Heading into the meet it was obvious they would compete for a medal. After the prelims the girls were seeded second, but they decided to do one better.
Kayley Heerey, Kristen Steinborn, Danae Edwards, and Julia Zeiner all stepped it up a notch, and completed the race in 50.65 seconds to win the championship.
"We are very excited to have all four of them coming back next year, and look forward to defending this event championship," Thierolf said.
All four are sophomores and have the chance to become three-time champions.
No Marion athlete won an individual gold medal, but Zeiner came as close as possible.
She earned three more medals to add to her collection, taking second in the 300m hurdles and third in the triple and long jumps.
Her time of 47.43 seconds in the hurdles broke a school record.
Not bad considering she started running the event halfway through the season.
"Julia had a very good day for us Saturday," Thierolf said. "She is one of the state's top track and field athletes coming back next year, and we are very happy about that."
Someone who won't be coming back next year is senior Kalaya Jackson. Although she failed to earn a medal at state, taking 10th in the triple jump, her dedication after a past knee injury always will be remembered by MHS coaches.
"She had a very gutsy series on Saturday, but just came up a few inches short of making the finals," Thierolf said.
Despite just missing a third-place plaque, Thierolf was still pleased with the performance of all five girls at the meet.
"We had a pretty good weekend," he said.
The boys' team did so as well, earning medals in three events, and competing in five others.
The squad was led by the 4x800m relay team of Adam Regnier, Brett Billings, Ryan Jones, and Justin Heidebrecht.
The four ran the relay in eight minutes, 22.63 seconds, less than a second out of first place.
"It was a great race that went back and forth over the whole 3200 meters, we just got caught at the finish," Thierolf said.
Tylor Neil was the top medalist for the boys' team, taking fifth in the triple jump with a top leap of 43 feet, .75 inches. It was the second trip to the state meet for Neil in the triple jump, and his first medal.
"He had a very good two weeks of jumping," Thierolf said referring to regional and state competition. "As he gets stronger in the next two years, he will continue to get better."
The final boys' medal belonged to junior Luke Gordon who jumped into seventh place after clearing six feet even in the high jump.
Thierolf knows next year should be even better for Gordon.
"He was close to clearing 6-2, and will set his sights on another medal next year."
Five other events didn't go as well for the boys, but there was not a lack of effort according to Thierolf.
Distance runners Charlie Holub (3200m run), Ryan Jones (1600m run), and Justin Heidebrecht (800m run) failed to medal, but achieved just by qualifying for state.
"Our distance corps did a nice job in their runs," Thierolf said. "Charlie and Justin did not have the finishes they wanted, but we are very glad that they ran for us and helped lead us these past four years.
"Ryan ran well in the 1600 and will continue to be a force in distance races next year."
Brothers Nick and Brad Klenda qualified in field events, and both came close to placing.
Nick qualified for the finals in the discus, but his top throw of 139-8 gave him eighth, one spot out of medal contention.
"As he continues to study the event, he will begin to become one of the best throwers in the state," Thierolf said.
Brad set a personal record at regional in the pole vault, clearing 12-6, and came close at state, clearing 12-0.
He finished 10th.
"He had a good day of vaulting on Friday, but just came up a little short of a medal," Thierolf said. "We look forward to a great year from him next year."
While losing Jackson, Heidebrecht, and Billings will hurt the Warriors, a strong corps of track and field athletes will be back next spring to try and earned more medals.
"We are very excited about the promise of next year and look forward to getting going in our training," Thierolf said.
