Warriors use Hesston to tune up for post-season
Zeiner named most outstanding athlete
Sports reporter
The Marion High School track and field team turned in some strong performances Thursday at the Hesston Invitational.
The girls' team was fifth and the boys' sixth, in the final meet before league, regional, and state competition.
The girls' team earned 14 medals, 10 individual, to earn 70 points and finish in the middle of the 10-team field.
Sophomores Julia Zeiner and Camille Christensen were the two Warriors to claim first-place medals at the meet.
Zeiner received hers for a 16-foot, 11.5-inch leap in the long jump, and a 47.01 second finish in the 300-meter hurdles.
Christensen finished ahead of everyone else in the 3200m run with a time of 12 minutes, 59.1 seconds.
Zeiner also was second in the triple jump and fifth in the pole vault, while Christensen took sixth in the 1600.
"Julia had another great day," head coach Grant Thierolf said. "She ran the 300 hurdles like a veteran and opened the door to some interesting possibilities at league and regionals.
"She is the first athlete we have had that was named the Most Outsanding Performer for the meet."
Thierolf also was pleased with the 4x100m team (Kayley Heerey, Bridget Lundy, Danae Edwards, and Kristen Steinborn) which continues to medal at every meet, including a third-place finish at Hesston.
Lundy and Edwards were running the event for the first time this season, and impressed Thierolf.
"They stepped into the relay and ran very well," he said.
Heerey and Steinborn also earned individual medals.
Heerey was fourth in the triple jump and 100m dash, and Steinborn was fourth in the 200m dash.
"We were pleased with them in the sprints, as they placed higher and ran faster than they have all season," Thierolf said.
Lundy, who just began running the 3200 two weeks ago was fourth in the event, and Kathy Goering earned the final medal for Marion with a fifth-place finish in the high jump.
The boys' team earned 50 points on their way to finishing sixth out of 11 teams.
As a team they earned 12 medals, 10 individually.
Senior Justin Heidebrecht continued his dominance in the 800m run, taking first with a time of 2:05.9.
He also ran in the 4x400 (sixth) and the 4x800 (second) events.
"He ran a very gutty 800 while running with a sore quadriceps," Thierolf said. "He also anchored our 4x800 to a season-best time."
Sophomore Ryan Jones, with little rest from the 4x800 according to Thierolf, was third in the 1600 with a time of 5:03.9.
Tylor Neil was the only Warrior boy to earn two individual medals, taking fourth in the triple jump, and sixth in the long jump.
"He jumped very well and learned to compete on a day that he didn't feel well," Thierolf said. "That is something that is necessary to learn in order to become a first-class athlete."
Nick Klenda (discus), Luke Gordon (high jump), Elliot Hett (300m hurdles), and Charlie Holub (3200m run) each earned fourth place in their events.
James Wingfield took fifth in the 400m dash, and Louis Holt was sixth in the 1600.
"All in all we had a good day with many fine performances," Thierolf said. "We will need to keep improving through the next fortnight to get ready for league and regionals.
"It is the fun time of year."
The Warriors will be at Smoky Valley Friday for the Mid-Central Activities Association meet.
