GETTYSBURG – Track and field athletes from Groton and Ipswich had big days at the Battler Invitational on Friday.
Groton’s Keegen Tracy won the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter dashes, while teammate Jayden Schwan won the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs. On the girls’ side, Groton won the 400, 800 and medley relays.
Ipswich received wins from Madisyn Gellhaus in the 1,600-meter run, Isabella Galbraith in the 3,200-meter run, Tristan Geditz in the shot put and discus, Jalyssa Hutson in the pole vault and the 3,200-meter relay squad on the girls’ side, and from Brody Davis in the pole vault on the boys’ side in addition to winning the 400, 800 and medley relays.
Herreid-Selby Area’s Brenna Jochim and Mobridge-Pollock’s Bentley Bauer battled each other in multiple events. Jochim won the 100-meter dash with Bauer second, Bauer won the 200 with Jochim second, and Jochim won the long jump with Bauer runner-up.
Aberdeen Christian’s Dylan Hofer won the triple jump and finished third in both the 100 and 200.
“The boys’ sprint group is making good improvements,” said Knights coach Sam Bjorkman. “This is a big team for us and it’s exciting seeing the young guys (many coming from basketball) competing and growing.”
Bjorkman pointed out the support his athletes have for each other throughout a meet, for example the team cheering on Joseph Richards in the 3,200-meter run.
“The team is so for each other right now and it’s amazing to see that kind of support,” Bjorkman said. “It’s your whole team cheering you on in a 3,200 which helped him beat his PR from four days ago. They’re really looking out for each other.”
It was also a record-setting day for the Knights.
Ashton Holmes broke his own school record in the javelin, Christian had its first girls’ pole vault performer in school history as Hope Ellyson finished third, and Hofer broke his own school record in the 100-meter dash.
To see complete meet results, click on the following link:
