HILL CITY — Ellinwood freshman Reagan Wirtz qualified for state track in four events to highlight 16 qualifying events for the Eagles at Thursday's Hill City 2A track regional.
Central Prairie League champion Wirtz ranks second in the 2A 100 meters (12.66), first in the 200 meters (25.53) and first in the triple jump (18-53/4) and joined the No. 5 ranked 1,600-meter relay (4:11.08) with Jenna Borror, Ayla Ritchie and Eleanor Joiner.
"The Lady Eagles delivered a powerful performance qualifying multiple athletes for state competition," said Ellinwood coach Jeff Zook. "Leading the charge for the Lady Eagles were freshman standouts who qualified in multiple events — Reagan Wirtz, Eleanor Joiner and Ayla Ritchie. Wirtz adds individual firepower in the long jump, 100, and 200, along with the 4-by-400 relay."
Joiner is ranked fourth in the 1,600 (5:24.55) and ninth in the 800 (2:25.06). No. 5 ranked high jumper Ritchie (5-0) joins the runner-up No. 5 ranked 3,200-meter relay (10:23.74) with Lexi Thomas, Borror and Joiner. Ritchie is No. 15 ranked in the 400 meters (1:00.9).
"Jenna Borror earned state berths in the 4-by-400 and 4-by-800 relays," Zook said. "Lexi Thomas, joins her teammates in the 4-by-800, contributing to the squad’s relay presence.
Hoxie's girls (99) beat Ellinwood (72) for first place.
EAGLE BOYS — No. 1 ranked 2A long jumper Landon Simpson broke Scott Stremel's 47-year school record (22-63/4) with first place. Simpson (51.63) is ranked 11th in the 400 meters.
"Sprinter and jumper Landon Simpson had a standout day," Zook said. "His performance etched his name into the school’s storied track and field legacy.'
No. 7 ranked Ryan Pohlman is a double state qualifier in the 1,600m (4:38.53) and 16th ranked in the 3,200 (10:43.87). Pole vaulter Cason Merritt (12-0) is ranked sixth.
The Eagles qualified with the No. 13 ranked 400-meter relay (45.1) with Simpson, Logan Broyles, Cannon Schartz and Dawson Sunderland and the No. 14 ranked 1,600-meter relay (3:36.89) with Schartz, Kellan Behnke, Sunderland, Simpson.
"The boys team proved its depth, qualifying athletes across a wide range of events," Zook said. "Ryan Pohlman showed distance prowess by qualifying in the 1600 and 3200 meters. Dawson Sunderland, Logan Broyles, Cannon Schartz, and Kellan Behnke round out the state-bound relay teams, helping secure the 4-by-100 and 4-by-400 entries alongside Simpson."
2A ELLINWOOD STATE RANKING—1—Reagan Wirtz, long jump, 18-53/4; 1—Wirtz, 200m, 25.53; 2—Wirtz, 100m, 12.66; 1—Landon Simpson, long jump, 22-63/4; 11—Simpson, 400m, 51.63; 5—Ayla Ritchie, high jump, 5-0; 15—Ritchie, 400m, 1:00.9; 4—Eleanor Joiner, 1,600m, 5:24.5; 9—Joiner, 800m, 2:25.1; 5—Ellinwood, 3,200m relay, 10:23.74 (Thomas, Jenna Borror, Ritchie, Joiner); 5—Ellinwood, 1,600m relay, 4:11.08 (Wirtz, Borror, Ritchie, Joiner); 6—Cason Merritt, pole vault, 12-0; 7—Ryan Pohlman, 1,600m, 4:38.5; 16—Pohlman, 3,200m 10:43.9; 13—Ellinwood, 400m relay, 45.1 (Simpson, Logan Broyles, Cannon Schartz, Dawson Sunderland); 14—Ellinwood, 1,600m relay, 3:36.89 (Schartz, Kellan Behnke, Sunderland, Simpson)
HILL CITY 2A GIRLS (TOP 3 SQ)
GIRLS TEAM SCORES—1—Hoxie 99; 2—Ellinwood 72
ELLINWOOD RESULTS
100m—1—Wirtz, 12.66
200m—1—Wirtz, 25.53
400m—4 SQ—Ritchie, 1:00.93
800m—2—Joiner, 2:25.06
1,600m—3—Joiner, 5:24.55
1,600m relay—1—Ellinwood, 4:11.08 (Wirtz, Borror, Ritchie, Joiner)
3,200m relay—2—Ellinwood, 10:23.74 (Thomas, Borror, Ritchie, Joiner)
High jump—3—Ritchie, 5-0
Long jump—1—Wirtz, 18-53/4
HILL CITY 2A BOYS (TOP 3 SQ)
BOYS TEAM SCORES—1—Smith Center 107; 2—Phillipsburg 61; 3—Ellinwood 58
ELLINWOOD RESULTS
200m—4—Sunderland, 23.67
300m hurdles—6—Broyles, 43.83
400m—5 SQ—Simpson, 51.63
800m—4—Grose, 2:08.97
1,600m—2—Pohlman, 4:38.53
3,200m—3—Pohlman, 10:43.87
400m relay—2—Ellinwood, 45.1 (Simpson, Broyles, Schartz, Sunderland)
1,600m relay—5 SQ—Ellinwood, 3:36.89 (Schartz, Behnke, Sunderland, Simpson)
Long jump—1—Simpson, 22-63/4 (school record)
Pole vault—1—Merritt, 12-0
