COLUMBUS – The Central Lee boys and girls got off to a strong start to the outdoor track season last Monday at the Columbus Junction Invitational.
Aubrey Weber clearly enjoyed getting outdoors, taking first in the discus with a spin of 112’3” and captured 2nd in the shot with a 32' heave to lead the Lady Hawks.
The Hawks earned a slew of second-place finishes highlighted by the girls' shuttle hurdle relay which is perennially a strong outfit. Kaylee Moeller, Julia Fraise, Adalyn Dill, and Allison Gruntmeir ran a 1:25.12 for second.
The boys got second-place finishes from Kain Arrowood, Jack Benner, Blake Davis, and Luke Kruse in the 4x200 with a time of 1:38.44. Davis, Arrowood, Evan Fogarty, and Ward Fraise also captured a second-place finish in the 4x100 at 47.25.
The Hawk boys earned 3rd places in the 400-meter hurdles (Austin Forgarty), the sprint medley team, and the 4x400 team.
On Tuesday at Danville, Weber built a little on the discus with another title and a throw of 113’8”. She finished third in the shot with a 31' throw.
Gruntmeir took 2nd in the high jump at 4’10”. Top performers for the boys included a 2nd-place finish for Kaidin Humes in the 400 at 58.12. Caedon Newton was runner up in the 3200-meter run at 12:28.55 and Austin Fogarty was runner-up in the 400 hurdles at 1:01.21. The 4x400 team of Austin Fogarty, Humes, Fraise, and Brett Cook were 2nd at 3:51.68.
The Hawks garnered 3rd-place finishes in the girls' meet from McKynna Simpson in the 100 dash at 15.16. Gruntmeir was third in the 400 hurdles at 1:21.81, while the sprint medley team of Moeller, Madison Frueh, Kaitlyn Morrison, and Brylee Cook took 3rd at 2:08.05. The 4x200 squad and the distance medley team also captured 3rd place.
The boys got 3rd-place finishes from Cook in the 400 hurdles, Luke Kruse who set a personal best in the 100 at 11.87, Will Hayes in the shotput at 39’11”, and Arrowood in the long jump at 18’2.5”.
Girls' Head Coach LeeLee Ellingboe said the Lady Hawks have a strong group of returning athletes led by Weber and Gruntmeir and she looks for input from seniors Aurora Edens and Sapphire Cummings.
"I am very excited for this season. We have a large group of athletes, which allows us to fill events that we haven’t been able to in the past," she said.
That dynamic is because of la arge group of younger runners.
"We also have a strong group of newcomers. Our freshmen include Brylee Cook, Kaitlyn Morrison, Madison Freuh, Kaylee Mueller, Sophia Roberts, Charlie Day, Kaitlyn Farris, Adalyn Dill, McKenzie Daly, McKynna Simpson, and Alayna Riley. Our sophomore class features Jali Hawk, Avery Hopp, Eliza Wagner, and Halle Chappell," said the 5th-year head coach.
"Last season was a good one, though we fell just short of some of our goals. Aubrey Weber placed third in both the shot put and discus. Allison Gruntmeir didn’t quite reach her goals in the high jump, but both athletes have been working hard toward qualifying for the state meet this season.
Boys' Head Coach Tyler Bryant, also in his fifth year, said the boys' team will balance some experience with some newcomers to the program.
"Our men seek to better themselves in each event, noting their PRs and working to overcome them. Our returners and newcomers are leaders, it is a focus of our program. Ward Fraise took a year off last year, but he will be a strong leader and competitor in the short distances and relays," Bryant said.
"I am truly blessed to coach these young men on the track team, they are what we hope for in Central Lee Athletics. I want our athletes to realize and believe that they can compete against state-level competitors. 'See it, Speak it, Believe it' is our team motto."
Bryant said SEISC will be competitive this year.
"Mediapolis will be strong as a whole. West Burlington and New London's sprinters will be forces to be reckoned with. Danville is also well coached, so they will be competitive in all of the events."
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