HEM gets some wind

“We actually had a great weather day in Wind River,” Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) head track coach Jackie Jones said. “The first meet in good weather is sort of a surprise, but was most welcome.”

Jones said she was happy with the performance of the track team, especially considering the track and field the team usually uses is being worked on by AML and is not usable this year.

“Given what we have faced (as) far as adversity concerning practice, the kids really stepped up,” Jones said. “I was impressed.”

Jones said it was good to see all the small schools there, including Encampment and Saratoga. She said there is a lot of talent coming from Carbon County School District No. 2.

HEM had some winners but, due to Wind River not putting out official times yet, she caould not be sure about all the placements and times.

“Taylar Scott won the triple jump and the 100 and ended up qualifying for state in both those events,” Jones said. “I’d give you official times and wins, but Wind River hasn’t released the official results yet.”

Jones said the girls relay team did well.

“Our girls 4 X 800 team–which includes Avery Scott, Rainey Wilson, T’lyssa Solaas, and Madison Campbell–also qualified for State in that event,” Jones said. “They qualified in well over a minute. So for those kids to go out there and put those sort of times out there this first meet is pretty amazing.”

Solaas also looks to have won the 300 hurdle event.

“T’lyssa is a girl who has worked and worked and been absolutely coachable,” Jones said. “Her form has always been good, although there are still a couple things we need to tweak, but she has gotten so much stronger. In fact, T’lyssa came back to me after the race and said that she remembered it being a lot harder. That is just a testament to her getting stronger.”

Jones said Avery Scott has either placed first or second in the 400 meter event, but because without the official results, Jones can’t say for sure the placement.

On the boys side, Jones said she felt that Taylor Kennedy had a great first day.

“Taylor is the first to say that he has a ways to go to get himself in shape, but he did well,” Jones said. “On the field, I felt Joseph Borah did well with the shot put considering it was the first time and he threw it for over 40 feet.”

Jones said Amy Campbell threw the shot put and disc well.

“Our younger girls, Hanna Gonzales and Mackenzie Priest, also had a good day at Wind River,” Jones said.

Jones said it is frustrating not knowing exactly where each track member did as she talks about them.

“Devon (Grosstick) did well in the triple jump but I don’t know his placing, but I know he was just shy of placing for state in that event,” Jones said. “Our new guy, Aaron Barron, we are finding it might be better suited for more mid distance than the sprinting. He is a super hard worker and I think he will be a contributor to the team.”

Jones said the team is scheduled to go to Green River on March 24.

“We are keeping an eye on the weather and they are saying it might not be too warm,” Jones said. “We get this all the time in Wyoming, but sprinters and jumpers tend to get the worse end of being cold and what the muscles require, so we will keep an eye on it and have the kids do a little less than we normally would, save their legs a little and head them into spring break.”

Jones said it is the first time in a while that a meet hasn’t been scheduled during the break.

“Just visiting with the kids and families, they are thankful for a real spring break,” Jones said. “These kids know what it will take when they come back.”