Gardner-Edgerton Boys Pull Out Victory In 4x400 Relay

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

It took three days, but the Kansas State Track and Field Championships were completed. Weather played a major role in altering the schedules, as the preliminary rounds were cancelled on Friday with all finals running on Saturday. Heats were sorted by regional times. Add in two lightning delays -- one on Saturday and one Sunday morning -- all six classifications, 12 schools total, were finally crowned state champs at Wichita's Cessna Stadium.

6A

It came down to the final event of the day, but the Gardner-Edgerton boys scored enough points with a fourth-place finish in the 4x400 relay to win the 6A state title. Blue Ridge Valley was the runner-up with 61 points. 

Senior Deron Dudley of Wichita South claimed the 100 (10.61), 200 (22.08) and ran on the 4x100 relay team that placed third. 

Sam Hankins of Manhattan won the javelin in 206-9. 

In the girls 6A race, Lawrence claimed the team title for the second year in a row, scoring 84 points. 

Washburn Rural senior Jaybe Shufelberger won the 800 (2:16.87) and 3,200 (10:41.63). 

5A

Senior Kody Marvin helped Bishop Carroll defend its 5A crown, as he won the 110-meter hurdles (14.80) and 300 hurdles (39.66). Senior Ethan Hull also added a win for Bishop Carroll, winning the pole vault (16 feet).

The St. James Academy girls dominated the distance events at the 5A meet to claim the state title. Led by junior Sarah Murrow, who won the 3,200 (11.04.87), 1,600 (5:15.47) and placed second in the 800 (2:18.59), St. James scored 52 points in the three events. 

In the sprints, Newton senior Kalli Anderson set a meet record in the 100 (11.81), won the 200 (24.86) and was the anchor on the winning 4x100 relay (49.04). 

4A

The Andale boys and girls swept the 4A titles by coming up big in the field events, especially the pole vault. The boys went 1-2 in the pole vault and the girls claimed the top three spots, Jaden Eck (12 feet), Jayden Cates (11-6) and Aspen Liby (11 feet). 

Andale sophomore Katelyn Fairchild won the javelin in a throw of 156-11, US#7. 

Buhler’s Jordan Hawkins won the 100 meters in a meet record time of 10.65, and claimed the 200 title in 22.49.

3A

Smoke City senior Tim Lambert had a banner day, winning the 100 meters in 10.55 seconds for a meet record, claiming the 200 (21.97), finishing second in the 300 hurdles (39.48) and was part of the winning 4x1 (42.93). 

The Scott City boys scored 101 points to claim the 3A crown. 

Senior Jacy Dalinghaus led Nemaha Central to a 3A state title as she won the javelin with a US#20 throw of 146-9. She also won the discus (139-6) and shot put (43-1.50). 

2A

Stanton County’s six points in the 4x400 relay were enough to propel them to a 2A state title, edging out Hillsboro 48-47. 

In girls 2A action, freshman Brooke Hammonds won the 100 (12.48) and 200 (26.05) and was part of the winning 4x100 (50.05) to help guide Garden Plain to a state title. 

1A

The Northern Valley boys ended the day with a victory in the 4x400 (3:29.96) to clinch the state team title. 

The Kiowa County girls claimed the state title with 69 points. 

Lincoln’s Jaycee Vath won the 1,600 (5:23.81), 3,200 (11:27.53), finished fourth in the 800 and ran on the winning 4x80 (10:03.22. 

Team Champions

6A- Gardner-Edgerton boys 64 points; Lawrence girls 84 points RESULTS

5A- Bishop Carroll boys 64 points; St. James Academy girls 87 points RESULTS

4A- Andale boys 71 points; Andale girls 97 points RESULTS

3A- Scott City boys 101 points; Nemaha Central girls 72 points RESULTS

2A- Stanton County boys 48 points; Garden Plain girls 71.5 points RESULTS

1A-  Northern Valley boys 55.5 points; Kiowa County girls 69 points RESULTS