WICHITA — It was the best of times, it was the worst of times for Larned track standout Kaylee Hagerman.
BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
WICHITA — One day after a frightful fall in the 400-meter relay, Hagerman bounced back like a 3A state champion in the long jump (18-41/2) with a season-best leap.
The Indians were primed for the 400-meter relay final until Hagerman slipped in the prelims. Larned's No. 2 ranked 400-meter relay faced misfortune with a 16th-place finish (1:06.9).
Hoisington's Marley Bittel placed as state runner-up in the 100 meters (12.25) to Hesston rival Ashley Lehman (11.9) for the second consecutive year. Bittel placed runner-up in the 200 meters (25.3) to Lehman (24.63). Bittel anchored led the Cardinals to seventh-place 400-meter relay (50.73) with Reese Merlau, Kinley Wilkens and Addison Hanzlick.
Bittel broke the school record in the 200 meters held by Stacey Dame (25.6, 1994), when she ran 25.3 in the finals. Hoisington's girls earned 12 state medals and finished 14th (18 points).
"Marley Bittel broke school records in the 100 meters and 200 meters," said Hoisington coach Dan Schmidt. "Bringing home three medals from a state meet is quite an accomplishment. She missed making the finals in her fourth event, the 400 meters. Missing training due to an injury was the difference.
"The Hoisington boys and girls track team had a solid finish at state track," he said. "The girls team competed very well at the meet picking up medals in four of the six events that they had a chance. We qualified sophomores and one senior and had a good showing."
Schmidt appreciated the fact that senior Reese Merlau, a past state qualifier, competed after missing her junior season with a severe ankle injury.
"With a great work ethic, and a desire to get back to state, Reece accomplished a goal of bringing home a state medal," Schmidt said. "Her leadership for our girls was the best."
The Cardinal boys (20 points) finished 13th. Jason Robinson soared a season-best 21-4 to place runner-up in the 3A long jump. Brier Thompson finished fifth in the 100 (11.07) and eighth in the 200 (22.61). Layton Hoffman placed fifth in the hotly-contested 3A discus (158-4). Pole vaulter Taylen Morales placed seventh (13-6). Long jumper Mason Martin (20-4) placed eighth.
Hoisington's boys were slowed by season-ending injuries.
Multi-event state track qualifier and top 20 cross country medalist Camden Tarlton was sidelined during the spring season. Jason Robinson was given the opportunity near the end of the season to participate. He took advantage and qualified in two state events. Carson Mason missed track time battling a hip injury. Taylen Morales just missed qualifying for state in four events last year, but was limited by an injury.
"Taylen didn't recover fully, but managed to place in the pole vault," Schmidt said. "Both teams bring back very good athletes to help Cardinal track move up the state ladder next year."
3A HOISINGTON—2ND—Marley Bittel, 100, 12.25; 2ND—Bittel, 200, 25.3; 10TH—Bittel, 400m, 1:01.04; 2ND—Jason Robinson, long jump, 21-4; 5TH—Mason Martin, long jump, 20-4; 5TH—Brier Thompson, 100, 11.07; 8TH—Thompson, 200, 22.61 (*22.45 prelims); 5TH—Leyton Hoffman, discus, 158-4; 7TH—Morales, pole vault, *13-6; 10TH—Joseph Hekele, pole vault, *13-0; 11TH—Hoffman, shot put, 48-41/2; 7TH—Hoisington, 400m relay, 50.73 (Reese Merlau, Kinley Wilkens, Addison Hanzlick, Bittel); 14TH—Martin, high jump, 5-10; 14TH—Wilkens, shot put, 33-11/4; 9TH—400m relay, 44.97 (Courtney Bryant, Mason Martin, Jason Robinson, Brier Thompson)
3A LARNED—1ST—Kaylee Hagerman, long jump, 18-41/2; 9TH—Hagerman, 100m, 12.83; 4TH—Herbert, 100m hurdles, 15.78; 7TH—Herbert, 300m hurdles, 48.01; 12TH—Cammy Upson, shot put, 32-73/4; 13TH—Walker, 200m, 26.9; 16TH—Larned, 400m relay, 1:06.9 (Teagan Walker, Cara Herbert, Taeten Reynolds, Kaylee Hagerman)
