Young athletes from Moundridge, Goessel, Haven, Hillsboro and neighboring communities converged on Wildcat Stadium in Moundridge May 9 for the Moundridge/Goessel Youth Track Meet.
Breeley Robinson and Xaivianna Pfeiff, both of Moundridge, fly over the hurdles during the 80-meter hurdles for the 5th/6th grade girls race. Pfeiff won with a time of 17.45 seconds. (photo by Todd R. Vogts)
Throughout the day, the meet showcased emerging talent, close finishes and a number of athletes who proved difficult to beat no matter the event.
Moundridge repeatedly demonstrated overall depth across age groups, particularly in sprint events and relays, but several athletes from Goessel and surrounding schools also produced standout performances that kept competition tight throughout the meet.
The youngest athletes in the Pre-K/Kindergarten division created some of the day’s most memorable moments.
On the girls side, Addilyn Smoker of Moundridge assembled one of the strongest performances of the entire meet.
Smoker won the standing long jump at 5 feet, 2.5 inches, captured the long jump title with a leap of 7-4, took the 25-meter dash with a time of 5.83 seconds and added another first-place finish in the softball throw at 28 feet, 3 inches.
Goessel’s Elliot Hiebert controlled the sprint races, winning the girls 50-meter dash in 10.12 seconds and the 100-meter dash in 22.47.
The boys division was equally competitive.
Brody Wilson of Moundridge collected victories in the 50-meter dash, long jump and softball throw, while Briggs DenHartog won both the 25-meter and 100-meter races.
Kai Hensley added a victory in the standing long jump for Moundridge.
Competition intensified in the 1st/2nd grade division, where Moundridge’s girls displayed impressive depth.
Enora Huxman and Lakyn Ortman traded sprint victories and nearly mirrored one another throughout the day.
Huxman won the 50-meter dash and later captured the 200-meter title, while Ortman narrowly edged Huxman in the 100-meter race.
Moundridge also claimed the girls 4×100-meter relay title behind Enora Huxman, Lakyn Ortman, Presley Vogts and Bryn Galle.
Presley Vogts then powered her way to another victory with a winning softball throw of 46 feet, 3 inches.
On the boys side, Alec Williams and Pryor Loganbill led the way for Moundridge.
Williams won the 100-meter dash and delivered one of the biggest field-event marks of the day by reaching 100 feet, 2 inches in the softball throw.
Loganbill won the 200-meter dash and finished among the leaders in additional events.
The girls 3rd/4th grade division featured one of the meet’s most dramatic finishes.
Aubree Schrag of Moundridge and Ellie Unrau of Goessel both crossed the line in 17.58 seconds in the 100-meter final, with Schrag ultimately receiving first place.
Schrag later added a long jump victory and helped lead Moundridge to another 4×100-meter relay title.
Reagan Cooprider of Haven showed versatility by winning both the girls 400-meter run and turbo javelin competition.
The boys 3rd/4th division produced balanced competition across schools.
Daniel Lightner of Goessel captured the 100-meter dash and discus titles, while teammate Colton Old won the 200-meter dash and 1600-meter run.
Moundridge answered with a 4×100 relay victory and a long jump title from Jaxson Smoker.
Among the oldest competitors, several athletes put together all-around performances.
Addy Wasko of Moundridge swept the girls 100- and 200-meter races in the 5th/6th grade division, while Emma Cooprider of Haven won the long jump and turbo javelin.
On the boys side, Jayden Blackburn of Hillsboro produced one of the day’s most complete performances, winning the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and long jump.
Garrett Begnoche of Moundridge controlled the throwing events, winning shot put, discus and turbo javelin.
Moundridge’s Kager Kanitz out lept the competition in high jump, beating teammates Cole Galle and Steele Koehn.
For complete results, see below:
