Soldotna track and field sweeps Kenai Invitational

The Soldotna girls and boys track and field teams swept the Kenai Invitational on Saturday.

The Soldotna boys scored 299 points, while Kenai Central was runner-up at 88. Nikiski was third at 60, Seward was fourth at 52, Homer was fifth at 35 and Ninilchik was sixth at 1.

The Stars girls had 191 points, while Homer was next with 117. Kenai was third with 85, Seward was fourth with 82 and Ninilchik was fifth with 18 points.

Soldotna coach Phil Leck said he was trying out athletes in some different events, and also resting some other athletes, but one thing was constant.

“Overall, I think everybody competed pretty well,” Leck said.

The boys won 13 of the 18 events contested, with Kenai winning three and Nikiski taking two. On the girls side, the Stars won eight, the Mariners won five, the Kardinals won four and the Seahawks won one.

Leck said there was a pretty good tailwind, but Tyce Escott running 11.25 seconds to win the 100 meters and Leigh Tacey II running 22.82 to win the 200 stood out to the coach.

The coach also said Elijah Jedlicki had a PR of 4:54.51 to win the 1,600. Lokeni Wong debuted for the Stars by taking fourth in the 100, seventh in the 200 and second in the long and triple jumps. Leck said Wong gives the Stars another option in the sprint relays. The coach also said Gabriel Almeida ran well in winning the 300 hurdles.

Soldotna also received victories from James Innes in the 800, Finnley Loop in the 3,200, William Klein in the 300 hurdles, the 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200 relays, and Kevin Steger in the shot put and discus.

On the girls side, Leck said freshman Shiloh Zichko had a great meet in winning the 200 in a PR of 27.63 and the 400 in 1:04.79. The coach also said Tania Boonstra had a nice meet by setting a PR of 5:37.63 in the 1,600.

Leck also said it was nice to see Hallie Fischer set a PR in finishing fourth in the 100 hurdles, and to see freshman Karalyn Veihdeffer pull off a victory in the triple jump in her debut in the event.

Sasha Brott also got the Stars a victory in the 800, while Soldotna won the 400, 800 and 3,200 relays.

Kenai Central coach Joe Shirley was happy his 800 relay of Gage Ivy, Spencer Maw, Robert Hayes and Greg Fallon was able to shave three seconds off its time.

“We’ve won that and the 4-by-1 at state the last two years, so we’d like to continue that, or at least be as competitive as we can,” Shirley said.

The coach said Hayden Hughes was able to win the high jump after not making the opening height the week before. Freshman Gage Ivy also won the triple jump.

“Unfortunately, it’s been a few years for us since we’ve had some really prolific jumpers,” Shirley said. “That can really make a difference for us down the road.”

Greg Fallon took the 400 for the Kards, while Emma Beck captured the shot put, discus and helped the 400 throwers relay to a victory.

Sophie Tapley won the 100 for the Kards.

“It’s really nice to see our kids have quite a lot of success early on,” Shirley said. “Last year, we hit our stride probably at boroughs or regions, but this year, I think we’re going to hit it, probably, next week.”

Homer coach Bob Ostrom got a win from Brightly Thoning in the high jump, plus a third in the event from freshman Jaelynn Kennon.

“It’s always nice to start the meet with points,” Ostrom said.

He also said the throwers did well, led by Auden Cress taking second in the discus and third in the shot put with a PR of 30 feet, 9 inches. A PR toss of 98—1 by Timmy Cissney in the discus also stood out to Ostrom.

The running events also went well.

“I could say almost every event,” Ostrom said. “We were just killing it today.”

He said the 1,600 relay of Thoning, Beatrix McDonough, Gracie Miotke and Maddy Miotke set a new best time by a few seconds in winning.

Gracie Miotke won the 100 and 300 hurdles, while Daisy MossWalker won the 3,200.

“The whole team did well today,” Ostrom said. “I just love everybody working together and supporting each other.”

Nikiski coach Billie Denison was excited about the continued success of freshman Ryder Maguire, who was third in the 800 and 1,600, setting a PR in both.

Thayne Quiner also hit a big PR in winning the long jump at 19—1.5.

“I think he’s going to continue to build on that,” Denison said.

The throwers relay also was able to secure a win for Nikiski.

“I think we’re more of a well-rounded team this year,” Denison said. “We have more kids out and more of a variety of interest.”

Seward’s victory came from Robin Cronin, who had a personal record of 15—4.5 in the long jump.

Coach Solomon D’ Amico said even more important than the team’s performances was that a volunteer told a team member that if there was a sportsmanship award, that volunteer would vote for the Seahawks.

“We want to see nice performances, but without the character behind it, it kind of rings hollow,” D’ Amico said. “It just makes it really, really exciting as a coach and for our coaching staff.”

The coach said the meet was about discovering what kind of marks the kids can get. He was happy to see Esme Wilder make finals in the shot put and take seventh, and Gracie Russell make finals in the discus and take eighth.

D’ Amico also was happy with Jerick Senecal’s first 100 of the season.

The coach said the team did well considering prom was Friday night, with many coming through with PRs, including Philip Trobaugh in the 400.

“A lot of it is seeing they can handle that adversity and stress,” D’ Amico said. “Having them come to that realization is healthy and super beneficial.”

Adelyn McCorison led Ninilchik by taking second in the 400, third in the 800, fourth in the shot put and sixth in the long jump.

Kenai Invitational

BOYS

Team scores: 1. Soldotna, 300; 2. Kenai, 88; 3. Nikiski, 62; 4. Seward, 53; 5. Homer, 31; 6. Ninilchik, 1.

Unified: 1. Soldotna, 52; 2. Homer, 48.

100 meters — 1. Tyce Escott, Sol, 11.25 seconds; 2. Leigh Tacey II, Sol, 11.34; 3. Andon Wolverton, Sol, 11.44; 4. Lokeni Wong, Sol, 11.83; 5. Jared Williams, Sol, 11.89; 6. William Klein, Sol, 11.90.

100 unified — 1. Albert Freeman, Hom, 20.00; 2. Marcus Heistumen, Sol, 25.00; 3. Coen Braxling, Sol, 30.00.

200 — 1. Leigh Tacey II, Sol, 22.82; 2. Tyce Escott, Sol, 22.99; 3. Jeren Nash, Sol, 23.32; 4. Ronan Bickling, Sew, 23.66; 5. Gabriel Almeida, Sol, 23.71; 6. Brendon Jones, Sol, 24.17.

400 — 1. Greg Fallon, Ken, 52.10; 2. Elijah Jedlicki, Sol, 54.67; 3. Gideon Schrock, Sew, 54.88; 4. Jeren Nash, Sol, 55.37; 5. Ethan Anding, Sol, 55.58; 6. Emerson Cross, Sew, 55.83.

800 — 1. James Innes, Sol, 2:07.44; 2. Ryder Maguire, Nik, 2:12.81; 3. Jai Badajos, Hom, 2:15.73; 4. Wesley Johnson, Sol, 2:21.21; 5. Van Shank, Sew, 2:25.26; 6. Christian Skaggs, Sol, 2:27.89.

1,600 — 1. Elijah Jedlicki, Sol, 4:54.51; 2. Johannes Bynagle, Hom, 4:57.76; 3. Ryder Maguire, Nik, 5:00.80; 4. Jai Badajos, Hom, 5:06.15; 5. Noble Cassidy, Sol, 5:14.85; 6. Parker Richards, Sol, 5:16.35.

3,200 — 1. Finnley Loop, Sol, 11:01.85; 2. Noble Cassidy, Sol, 11:40.97; 3. JJ Abel, Sol, 12:31.11; 4. Tracker Keller, Sol, 12:32.30.

110 hurdles — 1. William Klein, Sol, 16.93; 2. Matthew Krol, Ken, 19.60; 3. Judah Brueckner, Sew, 20.97.

300 hurdles — 1. Gabriel Almeida, Sol, 42.49; 2. William Klein, Sol, 45.74; 3. Matthew Krol, Ken, 47.76; 4. Elijah Kahle, Ken, 49.54; 5. Tait Ostrom, Hom, 51.67; 6. Trey Witten, Nin, 57.61.

400 relay — 1. Soldotna (Jared Williams, Wyatt Faircloth, James Innes, Jeren Nash), 46.06; 2. Soldotna, 47.61; 3. Seward, 59.12.

400 unified relay — 1. Soldotna (Marcus Heistumen, Jacoby Moore), 1:18.97; 2. Homer, 1:19.59.

400 throwers relay — 1. Nikiski (Truit McCaughey, Jerry Snodgrass, Sam Yerkes, Breaker Schmit), 54.00; 2. Kenai, 54.48; 3. Nikiski, 55.29; 4. Soldotna, 1:00.92.

800 relay — 1. Soldotna (Andon Wolverton, James Innes, Tyce Escott, Leigh Tacey II), 1:34.63; 2. Kenai, 1:40.66; 3. Seward, 1:42.58; 4. Nikiski, 1:43.17; 5. Soldotna, 1:43.79.

1,600 relay — 1. Soldotna (James Innes, Gabriel Almeida, Jeren Nash, Leigh Tacey II), 3:41.68; 2. Soldotna, 3:52.63; 3. Seward, 3:54.00; 4. Kenai, 3:58.35; 5. Homer, 4:04.10; 6. Nikiski, 4:04.65.

3,200 relay — 1. Soldotna (Wesley Johnson, Parker Richards, Finnley Loop, Noble Cassidy), 9:16.70; 2. Homer, 9:23.53; 3. Seward, 9:57.48; 4. Soldotna, 10:00.58; 5. Soldotna, 11:05.31.

Shot put — 1. Kevin Steger, Sol, 45 feet, 5.5 inches; 2. Truit McCaughey, Nik, 44—4.25; 3. Ala Tuisaula, Sol, 41—6; 4. Hakoa Montoya, Sol, 39—10.5; 5. Kenai Lepule, Sol, 37—8.5; 6. James Wright, Ken, 36—9.25.

Shot put unified — 1. Marcus Heistumen, Sol, 22—4.25; 2. Lance Parkinson, Hom, 14—5.5; 3. Albert Freeman, Hom, 10—5; 4. Coen Braxling, Sol, 6—5; 5. Jacoby Moore, Sol, 6—2.5.

Discus — 1. Kevin Steger, Sol, 122—5; 2. William Roberts, Ken, 119—11; 3. Dalton Armstrong, Sol, 117—3; 4. Dalton Goodnight, Nik, 111—11; 5. Samuel Klein, Sol, 110—11; 6. Ala Tuisaula, Sol, 109—9.

High jump — 1. Hayden Hughes, Ken, 5—10; 2. Van Shank, Sew, 5—6; 3. Thayne Quiner, Nik, 5—6; 4. Demari Adams, Sol, 5—4; 5. Olin Liljemark, Sew, 5—0; 6. Jackson Fraley, Hom, 5—0.

Long jump — 1. Thayne Quiner, Nik, 19—1.5; 2. Lokeni Wong, Sol, 18—2.5; 3. Hayden Hughes, Ken, 17—8; 4. Gabriel Almeida, Sol, 17—5.5; 5. Landon Hinds, Sol, 17—5; 6. Tyce Escott, Sol, 17—3.

Long jump unified — 1. Albert Freeman, Hom, 15—0; 2. Marcus Heistumen, Sol, 8—9.5; 3. Lance Parkinson, Hom, 3—5; 4. Jacoby Moore, Sol, 2—0.

Triple jump — 1. Gage Ivy, Ken, 39—3; 2. Lokeni Wong, Sol, 37—8; 3. Ethan Anding, Sol, 37—6; 4. Hayden Hughes, Ken, 36—7.5; 5. Brendon Jones, Sol, 36—7; 6. Jason Johnson, Ken, 36—6.

GIRLS

100 — 1. Sophie Tapley, Ken, 13.63; 2. Maddie Haas, Sew, 13.67; 3. Jaelynn Kennon, Hom, 13.76; 4. Shiloh Zichko, Sol, 13.82; 5. Immi Im, Hom, 14.01; 6. Mia Hannevold, Sol, 14.13.

100 unified — 1. Pepper Noel, Ken, 22.24; 2. Stella Dye, Hom, 27.20.

200 — 1. Shiloh Zichko, Sol, 27.63; 2. Sophie Tapley, Ken, 28.17; 3. Mia Hannevold, Sol, 28.59; 4. Robin Cronin, Sew, 29.16; 5. Naomi Zichko, Sol, 29.63; 6. Lia Shank, Sew, 30.26.

400 — 1. Shiloh Zichko, Sol, 1:04.79; 2. Adelyn McCorison, Nin, 1:05.74; 3. Brightly Thoning, Hom, 1:06.87; 4. Maddy Miotke, Hom, 1:07.37; 5. Tania Boonstra, Sol, 1:07.61; 6. Regan Seibert, Sew, 1:07.92.

800 — 1. Sasha Brott, Sol, 2:35.02; 2. Beatrix McDonough, Hom, 2:35.40; 3. Adelyn McCorison, Nin, 2:37.88; 4. Indigo Leslie, Sew, 2:50.20; 5. Katie Van Buskirk, Sew, 2:50.94; 6. Teresa Fallon, Ken, 2:55.66.

1,600 — 1. Tania Boonstra, Sol, 5:37.63; 2. Daisy Walker, Hom, 5:41.95; 3. Hailey Ingalls, Sew, 5:50.08; 4. Claira Booz, Hom, 5:54.35; 5. Beatrix McDonough, Hom, 5:56.91; 6. Indigo Leslie, Sew, 5:59.92.

3,200 — n/a.

100 hurdles — 1. Gracie Miotke, Hom, 17.32; 2. Maddie Haas, Sew, 17.55; 3. Angelina Chavarria, Sol, 17.56; 4. Hallie Fischer, Sol, 17.67; 5. Stella Dow, Sew, 19.83; 6. Elliot Stockton, Ken, 20.02.

300 hurdles — 1. Gracie Miotke, Hom, 50.44; 2. Hallie Fischer, Sol, 54.15; 3. Elliot Stockton, Ken, 54.72; 4. Maddie Haas, Sew, 55.82; 5. Jaelynn Kennon, Hom, 57.75; 6. Lia Shank, Sew, 57.84.

400 relay — 1. Soldotna (Mandi Sisley, Anaulie Sedivy, Angelina Chavarria, Mia Hannevold), 54.24; 2. Homer, 54.64; 3. Soldotna, 58.36; 4. Seward, 59.85.

400 throwers relay — 1. Kenai Central (Caitlyn Martin, Ellsi Miller, Willow Graham, Emma Beck), 1:02.30; 2. Soldotna, 1:05.40.

800 relay — 1. Soldotna (Mandi Sisley, Sasha Brott, Mia Hannevold, Annie Burns), 1:54.25; 2. Seward, 2:00.18.

1,600 relay — n/a.

3,200 relay — 1. Soldotna (Shiloh Zichko, Sasha Brott, Tania Boonstra, Annie Burns), 10:36.18; 2. Seward, 10:53.99; 3. Homer, 10:57.19; 4. Kenai, 11:53.32; 5. Soldotna, 12:25.11.

Shot put — 1. Emma Beck, Ken, 33—.5; 2. Meg Roberts, Sol, 32—5.5; 3. Auden Cress, Hom, 30—9; 4. Adelyn McCorison, Nin, 28—10.5; 5. Natalie James, Ken, 28—2; 6. Hope Hillyer, Sol, 27—5.5.

Shot put unified — 1. Pepper Noel, Ken, 10—2; 2. Stella Dye, Hom, 9—10.

Discus — 1. Emma Beck, Ken, 113—4; 2. Auden Cress, Hom, 96—10; 3. Willow Graham, Ken, 86—7; 4. Meg Roberts, Sol, 85—10; 5. Ellsi Miller, Ken, 75—4; 6. Hope Hillyer, Sol, 68—0.

High jump — 1. Brightly Thoning, Hom, 4—8; 2. Sophie Tapley, Ken, 4—8; 3. Jaelynn Kennon, Hom, 4—8; 4. Robin Cronin, Sew, 4—6; 5. Hallie Fischer, Sol, 4—2.

Long jump — 1. Robin Cronin, Sew, 15—4.5; 2 (tie). Angelina Chavarria, Sol, Sophie Tapley, Ken, 14—8.5; 4. Abriella Werner, Sol, 14—3.5; 5. Maddy Miotke, Hom, 14—1; 6. Karalyn Veihdeffer, Sol, 14—0.

Long jump unified — 1. Pepper Noel, Ken, 5—1; 2. Stella Dye, Hom, 4—1.

Triple jump — 1. Karalyn Veihdeffer, Sol, 29—6.5; 2. Laurel Johnson, Sol, 29—2; 3. Trystan Byrd, Sol, 28—11; 4. Abriella Werner, Sol, 28—9; 5. Mandi Sisley, Sol, 28—6; 6. Ryan Alcorta, Hom, 28—.5.

GIRLS

Team scores: 1. Soldotna, 202; 2. Homer, 127; 3. Kenai, 89; 4. Seward, 88; 5. Ninilchik, 18.

Unified: 1. Kenai, 30; 2. Homer, 24.