Despite the heat and humidity, New Haven athletes ran, sprinted, threw, and jumped very well. New Haven’s girls team had won the Cuba meet two years in a row, but this year they lost by one point to St. James. The boys team got seventh place in the meet.
Many medals were awarded to New Haven track athletes at this meet. The top eight in each event earned points towards their team score. The boys’ 4 by 400 meter relay got fourth, while the boys’ 4 by 800 meter relay came in third. Emma Engelbrecht received fourth in the 100 meter hurdles; Molly Munsinger placed fourth in the 200 meter dash; Taylor Covington won third in the 400; the girls’ 4 by 100 meter relay earned second place; the girls’ 4 by 200 meter relay won first; the girls’ 4 by 400 placed second; the girls’ 4 by 800 got first; Lauren Gerlemann won 1st in shot put; Lauren Bergner received third place in shot put; Brooklyn Covington got first in discus; Tenille Duessler won third in discus; and Emma Englebrecht earned first in triple jump.
“All relays got season bests at this meet, and we had great performances in the throwing, jumping, and individual running events.” Mr Tucker, head coach for the track team, commented.
Several personal bests were achieved at this meet: Nathan Ford gained a new best in the mile; Brooklyn Covington threw almost 86 feet in discus; and Lauren Bergner threw almost 30 feet in shot put, after which she said, “I was really excited to throw my very best throw! It’s been something I’ve been trying to do for a while now.”
Also, Lauren Gerlemann made her first appearance in the 4 by 800 meter relay at this meet. She felt it was a great experience, saying, “I was very nervous to be running with a group of seniors, and I didn’t want to let them, or Mr Tucker, down. I was running on pure adrenaline with a time goal in my head. Once I started the race, I began to relax and just ran without thinking too much.”
Mr Tucker explained, “It was a great team effort for the girls’ team. We were missing the two best jumpers (Beth Schenck and Ereka Bailey), but the girls pulled through to deal with those lost points.”
Everyone will compete again in Hermann, Tuesday, April 28th, after the seniors return from Senior Trip. The South Calloway Invitational will be Friday, May 1st.
-by Lucy Roth