Two Tigers qualify for state track

Encampment High School contributed two state qualifiers from the team’s weekend track meets in Rawlins and Saratoga.

Waddie Love pre-qualified for state with his first-place shot put throw of 39’9” at the Saratoga Invite, and Alyssa Barkhurst pre-qualified with her Rawlins Invite performances in the the long jump (15’9”), 100 meter hurdles (17.61, first place) and 200 meter dash (28.56, first place). Barkhurst also received another first place in Rawlins with a time of 51.87 in the 300 meter hurdles.

Coach Kegan Willford said both athletes have been preparing hard for regionals and state coming up.

“Right now they have to work on conditioning because your conditioning can always be better, and you can never be in too good of shape,” Willford said. “Alyssa is in better shape now, and Waddie is also on a weight program. We’re working on Waddie’s technique right now.”

Willford said also he was pleased with the improvement and effort from other athletes during the back-to-back meets.

“Cassidy Little improved her length in the triple jump by two feet, as well as her time in the 800 by seven seconds, so she has been doing well as we’re getting closer to regionals,” he said. “Mandy Harris was also able to compete for points over the weekend, and I think that was a huge confidence booster for her. I think Mandy could qualify for state eventually with her effort in the 200 and 100 meter races.”

With the warmer temperatures outside, Willford said the kids now have a better shot to train harder.

“With the weather being better now I think we can all do more conditioning-wise to prepare for the rest of the season,” he said. “We’re always working and getting better each week, and the kids are improving and in better shape now. We’re always working hard now that we’re getting close to regionals.”

Encampment’s High School team has two regular invites, one in Baggs and one in Lander, before regionals in Lander on May 10 and 11. The state meet is May 16-18 in Casper.