Sports reporter’s note: My audio files from after the track meet were eaten by my iPhone. I apologize to Dawson Scheil, Dakota Clark, and coach Ryan Whitman, who took the time to talk to me.
Every week is a test, and the Mount Vernon girls’ track team passed this one. The Mustangs won the team title going away at their home meet Thursday, April 3.
Mount Vernon scored 145 points at the Mount Vernon Relays. Marion was second (101), Solon was third (94.5) and Clear Creek Amana (71.5) was third at the eight-team event.
“It was an outstanding night for us,” Mount Vernon girls’ track coach Kory Swart said. “The girls showed up and really performed really well for us.”
The Mustangs won six events across a broad range of disciplines, and used their depth to pile up team points.
“We certainly have kids in different areas that can contribute,” Swart said. “We have a nice complimentary team.”
Gold medals were won by Lucy Wischmeyer (long jump), Libby Dix (discus), Edith Dawson (3,000), and Evelyn Moeller (800). The Mustangs also won the sprint medley (Kara Swantz, Lucy Wischmeyer, Eastin Whisner, Cali Whitaker) and distance medley (Jaylee Jaspers, Grace Hale, Quinn Pershing, Caroline Rupe).
Swart said Moeller had a big night, winning the open 800 and running the anchor leg on the second-place 4×800 relays.
“She stood out,” Swart said.
Eastin Whisner, who is always willing to try new events, place third in the high jump.
“She loves the sport and has a lot to offer,” Swart said. “We’re trying to keep her healthy. She’s feeling better, which is awesome.”
The Lisbon girls’ team finished seventh, battling against a lot of bigger schools.
Brynn Epperly won the 100 hurdles and Emersyn Reiter won the high jump.
Boys
Mount Vernon boys’ track placed fifth at their own Relays. Clear Creek Amana won the team title with 131 points, followed by Lisbon with 96.
The Mustangs got an incredible gold medal performance from Dawson Scheil in the mile. He raced out to a big lead and kept his distance to win the 1,600 in 4 minutes, 45.80 seconds.
Grady Olberding won the 3,200 meters in 10:01.02 and Scheil also anchored the winning 4×800 relay in 8:24.65 (with Seamus O’Connor, Chasen Caskey and Graham Vavricek).
Distance events are going to be the big point-winners this spring, but Coach Ryan Whitman also saw some encouraging performances across the board Thursday.
The Lisbon boys, two-time defending state champs in Class 1A, had to really battle against Clear Creek Amana, a possible state-title contender in 3A. The Clippers edged the Lions by 2.53 seconds in the sprint medley.
Tiernan Boots and Quinn Coleman finished first and third in the open 100 (in 11.10 seconds and 11.31 seconds). Anthony Armstrong won the 800 in 2:03.26, but those were the only gold medals the Lions brought home.
The normally powerful Lion 4×100 relay was disqualified.
Lisbon did score in all four field events, led by Justin Snyder (high jump), Daylin Schaefer (long jump) and Henry Reiling (shot put and discus).