Girls Track Dominates at District Finals

Boys Team Places Second

Members+of+the+girls+track+team+celebrate+the+teams+District+track+championship.+The+state+track+meet+begins+May+18th.

Members of the girls track team celebrate the team’s District track championship. The state track meet begins May 18th.

Christian Campbell, Sports Reporter

Elkhorn track is reaching its peak during the most crucial time of the year. District finals were this past Thursday, May 10th, and the Antlers took it by storm, as 17 girls and 10 boy track and field athletes qualified for the opportunity to win a state championship. Elkhorn was overall dominate in the competition, as girls placed 1st overall and the boys placed 2nd, and are now looking ahead to take on the best performers in the state of Nebraska.

The boys performance featured four 1st place finishes. Justin Karstetter in the 4×800 and the 800 meter run, Aaron English in high jump, and Kody Smallfoot in the mile were among the top placements for boys. Other state qualifiers are Justin Hultquist and Jaden Gebeke in the 3200 meter run, Jorge Atayde in the 800,  and Brayden Adams in the 1600 meter run. In the field events, AJ Hagemann qualified in shot put, and Aaron English in high jump will be attending the state events as well. As far as the boys district finals went, they finished with a final score of 97 points and came second place to only Boys Town, who finished with 104 points.

When asked about his running in districts and state, runner Kody Smallfoot said, “

I’m never nervous. Once you’re there, a calm falls upon you.

— Kody Smallfoot

Smallfoot said he was very pleased about his performance just because he qualified.

The girls performance was even more dominating than the boys, as 17 athletes made it to the state championship. Field events include Brynn Ferguson in discuss, Alexa Williams in pole vault, Fidelis Neneman in long jump, Keagan Cummings and Amarie Baerentzen in high jump, and Addie Thomas for triple jump. Running events will feature the 4 x 800 relay with Grace Lamski, Maddie Yardley, Taylor Kimach and Abby Metschke. Lauren Franzen will run the 100 meter hurdles, Lexie Gilbert in the 100 meter dash, Bella Hass will team with Lizzie Schiefelbein, Fidelis Neneman, and Lexie Gilbert in the 400 meter relay, Hannah Pollan in the 3200 meter run, Lizzie Schiefelbein in the 400 meter dash, Lauren Franzen in the 300 meter Hurdles, Taylor Kimmach and Grace Lamski in the 800 meter run, Lexie Gilbert in the 200 meter dash, and a 4 x 400 meter relay with Grace Lamski, Abby Metschke, Lizzie Schiefelbein, and Lauren Franzen.

When asked also about nerves, Lexie said that “I’m a little nervous, but at least this year I know what to do. As a freshman I had no idea what I was doing.”

Last year, Lexie took home 3 medals, and when asked if she thinks she’ll have that many this year, she simply said, “Hopefully.”

The state championships will be held on Friday and Saturday of May 18th and 19th. Elkhorn will have 27 participants, and a lot of momentum going into their final performance. It will be crucial for athletes to do the same as Lexie and Kody. Keep cool, and let the calm fall upon them.

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