GROTON – Some experimented in different events, while others tried to cut time in their usual races during the Rob Luecke Invitational track and field meet on Tuesday.
Logan LaBrie of Hitchcock-Tulare did not compete in his usual events of the long jump and triple jump, instead concentrating on relay races.
“Today they wanted just a relay day where they try and get all of our relays done on the same day,” LaBrie said, “get all good times.”
The junior still competed in his favorite sprint races in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. He was part of a loaded field in the 100 along with race winner Kyle Hettich of Ipswich and second-place finisher Keegen Tracy of Groton.
“You got kids like Keegen Tracy and Kyle Hettich two lanes over,” LaBrie said, “so that’s going through your head is you know you have to get out of the blocks good and find a pace real fast, try to keep up.”
LaBrie said he likes to try and chase people down, but that is difficult task against two of the state’s premier sprinters.
“I couldn’t chase ’em down today,” said LaBrie who finished fourth. “Kyle and Keegen, they get moving pretty well.”
LaBrie lives in Turton, attends school in Doland, and competes for Hitchcock-Tulare. He trains on a gravel road and then jumps into a high jump pit because there are no regular facilities in Doland.
“It’s a lot harder to come to a meet and jump into a sand pit and run on a track than it is to run on gravel roads and jump into a big pit,” LaBrie said.
While it has been more than half a century since Turton last had a high school, LaBrie knows all about the school and its notorious mascot the Frogs.
“We have a banner in the shop hanging from the ceiling that says Turton Frogs on it from the school,” LaBrie said.
Tuesday was also relay day for Kella Tracy of Groton, but then again it always is.
The junior is a key member of four relays for the Tigers, three of which finished first on the day: the 400-meter, 800-meter, and medley.
“It’s very big deal for us. This is our race this year I guess,” Tracy said following the medley win, “and the 4X4, too. Those are our main races we’re trying to push.”
Tracy does not even compete in open events, instead focusing on the relays.
“Fun fact: I hate open events,” Tracy said. “Just hate them so much.”
There’s a reason for her distaste of running by herself.
“It feels like so much more pressure,” Tracy said. “I think it’s so much easier to run when you have people supporting you, and you know you’re working hard for someone else, too, not just yourself.”
Tracy is currently running the third leg on relays, but moves over to anchor position come state track meet time.
“I just have sometimes a stronger finish, like I like to hawk people down,” Tracy said, “so having me last I guess is better in case we are behind. … I love running with these girls, they’re awesome.”
Warner’s Beckham Cantalope also likes to try and catch people from behind. He was faced with that task in the 400-meter dash, where he finished second only to Groton’s Keegen Tracy.
“I love it when someone else is in front of me. I love it,” Cantalope said. “That’s my favorite thing in the world, because I love trying to hawk them down, and if I can’t, I’m going after you next time. Favorite thing in the world. I loved being pushed.”
The freshman never runs in the 400, but traded in his normal 300-meter hurdles race for a change of pace on the day.
“I told our coach, I want to try switching some things up. I want to see what kind of times I can run,” Cantalope said. “I told him I’d like to run the 400 instead of the 300, because if I was to run both I think you’d see me probably collapse and die.”
Cantalope, who won the 110-hurdles, was more satisfied with his runner-up finish in the 400.
“I think I ran pretty good. … I did keep up with Keegen,” Cantalope said. “I was very proud of myself when I did that.”
So what will Cantalope try next, shot put, discus?
“You know what? That’s not a crazy idea, let’s just say that,” Cantalope said. “It’s not a crazy idea. It’s not as crazy as it sounds.”
Ipswich’s Aubree DeRaad is continuing to work at the hurdles in hopes of landing a spot on the podium at this year’s state meet.
DeRaad won the 100-meter hurdles and finished second in the 300-meter hurdles.
“I’m ninth in the state right now,” DeRaad said, “just trying to get my form right.”
She talked about that form adjustment, “just to get lower to the hurdle, and really cycle through on the hurdles.”
DeRaad is just outside the top eight in Class B in both hurdles races. She is highly motivated to lower her times the rest of the season.
“You just got to go for it and really focus on your form and really (step) into the hurdle,” DeRaad said, “just do what coach says.”
The sophomore is excited about the prospect of what lies ahead of her.
“I have not gone on the podium, so its exciting,” DeRaad said. “Hopefully I can get there.”
Aberdeen Roncalli athletes had a big day, receiving wins from Quinten Shelton in the triple jump, Austin Fisher in the high jump, Kadince Glynn in the 300 hurdles, Addison Cassady in the 1,600, and the boys’ medley relay team.
“Overall, we had a good day. On the girls and boys side we had a number of individual winners, and more importantly, we’re still seeing personal best performances the past couple meets,” said Roncalli co-coach Mark Stone. “At this point of the season, and with our training, we anticipate those personal best performances. But we’re really happy with how the teams are competing.”
Aberdeen Christian athletes also made a big impact as Luke Kaiser came from behind to win the 300 hurdles and the Knights won the 400-meter relay. Dylan Hofer also broke the school record in the 100 and 200.
Christian coach Sam Bjorkman pointed out the performance of Ryder Shaving, who started off the 400 relay squad with a personal best 56-second split. Shaving had season ending injuries the past two years.
“Watching him be disciplined in his training, asking what else he should be doing, and doing the right things to stay healthy, it’s a joy to see him hit a big breakthrough mentally in that race,” Bjorkman said. “Hard not to respect a kid with such a good attitude and willingness to serve his team however he can.”
To see complete meet results, click on the following link:
