The middle school boys’ and girls’ track teams turned in unforgettable performances Friday, May 8, at Manson NW’s meet, with both squads earning first-place finishes. The night was filled with school records broken, personal bests achieved, and team energy shown from start to finish.

The boys’ team highlighted the night by breaking three school records while also recording 17 personal records across the meet. PRs came from throwers Reece Carlson (shot put, 37-06), Nolan Albright (shot put, 24-04), Nicholas Vogel (discus, 99-00), Caden Haug (discus, 94-09), Tristan Hanson (long jump, 18-09.25), Caleb Schoonover (long jump, 12-02.25), Jax Hindt, Jaxson Halsrud, Bentley Jondle, and Bennett Nolte (shuttle hurdle relay, 1:12.72), Moses Cunigan, Cooper Hefley, Braxton Pierce, Jace Skoglund (distance medley, 5:11.68), Henry Sandstrom (1600, 5:55.40), Wyatt Muench (200, 27.05), Tristan Hanson (400, 54.90), Turner Ahlers (400, 1:03.10), Boe Davis (200m hurdles, 28.80), Bennett Nolte (200m hurdles, 30.70), Roman Pace (800, 2:58.62), Boe Davis, Cam Johnson, Jayden Christie, and Wyatt Muench (4x400, 4:06.60), and Tristan Hanson, Hudson Ulicki, Wyatt Muench, and Landyn Fisher (4x100, 47.90).

Tristan Hanson blazed the way as he was on fire all night, breaking three school records. He set a new school record in the 400 meter dash, running the race in a mere 54.90 seconds, and he set a new school record in the long jump, jumping 18-09.25 feet. Additionally, Hanson was the lead-off runner in the 4x100 meter relay, handing the baton to Hudson Ulicki, to Wyatt Muench, to Landyn Fisher who sealed the deal to break the third school record of the night. The 4x100 relay team sprinted into the record books with a blazing 47.90 second performance that electrified teammates and fans alike. “Breaking the records felt amazing and as if a lot of weight left my shoulders because I don't have to worry about breaking them anymore,” said Hanson. Hanson now has his sights set on breaking the open 100 and 200 meter dash, as well as winning the conference meet. 

The girls' team matched the intensity all night long, also earning first place, and also setting an impressive 17 personal records. New PRs were set by Kaylee Hicks (shot put, 25-01), Brin Alliger (discus, 64-04), Averie Kitchen (long jump, 13-04.50), Tana Harrison (100m, 14.77), Adley Davis (100m, 15.19), Lydia Rude (100m, 16.14), Taylor Carlson (400m, 1:08.50), Ryleigh Bacon, Anna Slinker, Reagan Cramer, and Averie Kitchen (4x200, 2:03.78), Brin Alliger, Lydia Rude, Isabel Christians, and Annie Harris (4x200, 2:18.04), Aleah Judson (1500, 6:44.40), Kelsey Hayes (100m hurdles, 18.76), Claire Peterson (100m hurdles, 19.20), Adley Davis, Adelle Fors, Elyse Skoglund and Sofie Fritts (sprint medley, 2:18.16), Claire Peterson (200m hurdles, 33.21) Averie Kitchen (800m, 2:48.55), Adley Davis, Tana Harrison, Reagan Cramer, and Ryleigh Bacon (4x100, 56.60), Lexi Waugh, Nalayna Knuths, Lexi Fiala, and Jaylie Slinker (4x100 1:06.00), and Adelle Fors, Aubree Richardson, Anna Slinker, and Annie Harris (4x400, 5:04.49).

Two of the biggest moments of the meet came in the girls' 4x100 relay, consisting of Adley Davis, Tana Harrison, Reagan Cramer, and Ryleigh Bacon, where the team narrowly missed breaking the school record of 56:00 by just .60 seconds and in the open 800 where teammates Averie Kitchen and Taylor Carlson gave fans a showdown on the final stretch, claiming first place (Carlson 2:47.47) and second place (Kitchen 2:48.55), adding big time to the girls’ championship victory. What an exciting race!

Coaches praised both teams not only for the victories, but for the effort and determination shown throughout the meet. “Our athletes competed with confidence and energy all night,” the coaching staff said. “The records and PRs are exciting, but what stands out most is how the athletes continue to push each other to improve every single week.” Eighth-grader Nicolas Vogel adds to the sentiment of improving each week. “Our team did great scoring 170+ points. And I felt great about throwing, because I threw my best, 99-00. My favorite part about being on the track team is learning new things each week from other throwers.” 

The atmosphere throughout the meet reflected the team’s growth, as teammates consistently supported one another between events and celebrated every improvement, whether it was a first-place finish or a new personal best. “It was really exciting to win the meet on Friday! I love how everyone is so friendly and how we all cheer each other on. Track is a really exciting sport to watch and do. You get to see all of the progress you make throughout all the meets and practices. I really enjoy our team; it is just so fun,” writes eighth-grader Aubree Richardson who nailed her 200-leg of the distance medley, running it in 30.18 seconds, and her 400 as the second-leg of the 4x400 in 1:13.63. 

With the season winding down, both teams are proving that their hard work in practice is translating into results on the track. The combination of team depth, competitive drive, and encouragement among teammates continues to help the program reach new levels. The Jags go into conference meet week with just one meet left on Tuesday, May 13, at Newell-Fonda, before the conference meet on Friday, May 15, in Lake City. Tristan Hanson concludes, “Our team has made it a long way, and I can't wait until both girls and boys win the conference meet.” Well said, Tristan Hanson.