BY JIM MISUNAS
Great Bend track coach Lyles Lashley is the ultimate optimist.
"You're telling me there's a chance," Lashley said.
Wichita Kapaun-Mt. Carmel and Shawnee Mill Valley are top 5A girls track state contenders at Wichita State Friday and Saturday. Lashley believes the Great Bend girls will make a run at the top three state trophy. The Panthers won their sixth regional title in school history last week. They've won one state title (2007), plus five runner-up finishes and one third-place finish.
"Mill Valley is the favorite," Lashley said. "They've got two hurdlers, two jumpers and a pole vaulter. They've got guaranteed points in the two distance events."
The Panthers' 1,600-meter relay of Eliana Beckham, Sadie Spray, Kara Feist and Makenzie Premer (4:01.6) is a second off the school record (4:00.7) set by Chelsea Clanton, Kylene Kirmer, Kelly McNorton and Caitlyn Murray in 2007.
“It’d be nice go after it and win a state relay or two,” Lashley said. “We’ve got some strong relay teams. The girls all competed well at regionals, so we’re happy. It was a great day because we got everyone through regionals. I know we’ll go out and compete the best we can.”
The Panthers rank second in the 400-meter relay (50.26) with Valarie Luna, Feist, Spray and Premer. Premer is ranked second in the 300-meter hurdles (45.42) and third in the 100-meter hurdles (15.52). Premer placed second in the 300 hurdles and fifth in the 100 hurdles last year.
Kyndall Blessing (129-4) is ranked second in the javelin. Spray (5-4) is ranked second in the high jump. State runner-up Taryn Warren (37-111/4) is ranked second in the shot put.
The Panthers key is scoring a few points in multiple events.
“Our javelin throwers are a key and we’ve got two quality high jumpers,” Lashley said. “Our girls can score points in the distance races too. We competed in a tough regional. It’s been a great season. We want to cap it off with a great state meet.”
Panther distance runner Kaiden Esfeld ranks third in the 1,600 (4:28.06) and 13th in the 800 (2:01.54).
“Kaiden has a better chance in the 1,600 meters because the 800 field is loaded,” Lashley said.
GREAT BEND STATE ENTRIES
100m hurdles—3—Makenzie Premer, 15.52
110m hurdles—8—Madison Regehr, 15.57
300m hurdles—2—Premer, 45.42; 5—Sadie Spray, 47.19
300m hurdles—8—Regehr, 41.07
400m—14—Kara Feist, 1:02.45
400m—15—Oliver Dominguez, 52.18
800m—13—Eliana Beckwith, 2:27.89; 15—Emma Loomis, 2:28.4
800m—13—Kaiden Esfeld, 2:01.54; 16—Alex Galindo, 2:04.99
1,600m—11—Emilia Diaz, 5:30.54
1,600m—3—Esfeld, 4:28.06
3,200m—5—Addy Nicholson, 11:47.81; 10—Diaz, 11:57.57
400m relay—2—Great Bend, 50.26 (Valarie Luna, Kara Feist, Spray, Premer)
1,600m relay—1—Great Bend, 4:01.6 (Beckham, Spray, Feist, Premer)
1,600m relay—10—Great Bend, 3:28.49 (Dominguez, Esfeld, Galindo, Regehr)
3,200m relay—10—Great Bend, 10:18.58 (Beckham, Loomis, Alvarez, Diaz)
High jump—2—Spray, 5-4; 4—Luna, 5-2
Shot put—2—Warren, 37-111/4
Discus—12—Rylie Duvall, 108-0
Javelin—2—Kyndall Blessing, 129-4; 11—Macy Nachtigal, 115-7
Javelin—10—Mathew Moeder, 153-3
