It was a windy Saturday for the Wildcat track team who competed in the Jenn Boyman Memorial Invitational on April 5.
The Linfield ‘A’ relay team placed third in the women’s 4×100 meter relay and second in the 4×400 meter relay. The team consisted of junior Ellie Schmidt, freshman Dallas Edge, sophomore Rachael Gernhart, and freshman Haley Pattishal.
“Our girls team is a force to be reckoned with,” Edge said. “I know speaking for the sprinters and jumpers we have enough talent, as well as the distance girls, to win conference.” Likewise, the men’s team placed fifth in the 4×100 meter relay with time 44.25. The all freshman team consisted of Treve Ensley, Jake Mihelich, Bryce Evans, and Kennedy Johnson. In the men’s 4×400 meter relay, sophomore Steven Holland, sophomore Tom Steelhammer, sophomore Manuel Finley and Mihelich managed to pull out a third place finish with time 3:29.39.
The hurdles competition where Edge claimed her dominance placing first time with time 15.01 seconds and a deduction of 2.4 seconds from the headwind in the 100-meter Hurdles competition.
“I am happy that I took advantage of the competition today,” Edge said. “I ran well, won overall, and felt fast over the hurdles.”
In the 400-meter dash, freshman Jake Mihelich placed second with time 49.27—just 0.07 seconds short of the first place runner.
“I feel pretty good about my individual performances,” Mihelich said. “I think an important individual strength of mine would be giving it my all every time I get the chance to perform. It’s a privilege to run collegiate track.”
Junior Halsie Peek then came up big for the Wildcats placing seventh out of thirty in the women’s 100-meter dash. Peek earned a time of 13.45 and a 2.3 deduction from headwind. In the women’s 800 meter run, junior Audrey Lichten contributed to the ’Cats team score by placing third with time 2:22.97.
It was the 5000-meter run where Linfield’s track and field team stole the audience. In the women’s 5000 meter run, the ’Cats pulled out the top four places with senior Hannah Greider taking first place with time 18:33.79, senior Siena Noe coming in second with time 18:42.74, senior Katie Skinner taking third at 18:48.53 and junior Madison Trowbridge in fourth with time 19:03.62. In the men’s competition, senior Joe Gladow brought it home for the ’Cats with time 15:42.41 and a third place victory.
“Individually, I believe I’m a strong and experienced runner, which will help when it comes to running at the conference meet,” Gladow said. “I’ve been very happy with how the season has progressed. I feel like now I’m really getting into good shape and am ready for some big races.”
Johnson tied for second in the long jump with distance 6.54 meters. Right behind him was freshman Eric Igbinoba at distance 6.26 meters. Gernhart also showed well for the Wildcats jumping 10.93 meters in the women’s triple jump. In the men’s triple jump, Johnson flew for a distance of 13.57 meters and a second place finish.
Senior Anna LaBeaume threw well for the Wildcat track and field team with distance 35.72 meters in the women’s discus throw and 44.94 meters in the hammer throw. On the men’s side, senior Nick Fairhart finished third in the men’s hammer throw with distance 51.25. However, it was senior Kate Shear who stole the show for the Wildcats with distance 38.88 meters in the women’s javelin throw giving her a first place finish in the event. Similarly, senior Hunter Sams came up big for the Wildcats with his distance of 51.64 meters in the men’s javelin throw also giving him the first place finish.
There is no doubt that this invitational was a successful one for the Wildcat track and field team.
“As a team we are just looking forward to finishing out the season big, with good weather on the way hopefully we all taper and get faster and stronger,” Edge said. “Everyone’s been working so hard and we are all just excited to get to conference and lay it all on the line.”
With Edge’s new record times and unrelenting effort, she notes that she is “Happy with how [she] has processed.”
“I don’t think it could have gotten any better,” Edge said. “My hard work is definitely showing and I think the whole team could say the same.”
“Progression is the name of the game. As long as everyone keeps moving forward toward [personal records] and conference qualifying times, we are improving,” Mihelich said. “We are all looking forward to hitting that amazing game changing personal record—a chance to prove out team is the strongest, fastest, and touchiest in the conference just sounds like an awesome opportunity.”
With the post season around the corner and the team’s peaking performances, there’s no doubt that these next few weeks will be eventful for the Wildcats.
Casie Gaza/Senior sports reporter
