ALTAMONT — For the third year in a row, the Labette County Grizzlies girls earned the SEK League track and field title. This time, they did it on their home course on Thursday.
“Our team has evolved to where we don’t have to score points in the same events we did in the past,” Labette County girls head coach Chris Wacker said. “We lost Riley (Bebb) from last year and we got a lot of points from our throws. Now we’re getting points in our sprints. That comes down to the culture and doing their best. When you have that culture, it doesn’t matter where your talents align, they’ll find success.”
In the girls’ standings, Labette County registered 195 points to win the SEK crown. Chanute was runner- up at 114 points, followed by Coffeyville (54), Fort Scott (52), Independence (49), Parsons (45) and Pittsburg (43).
As for the boys, Chanute won the league title with 181 points.
Labette County finished runner-up with 114 points.
“I was really pleased with our team and our effort at the track meet,” Labette County boys coach Bradley Argabright said. “We knew we had an opportunity to make a push and it was great to see us get second. It validates the work our guys have put in. I’m proud of the guys stepping up.”
Pittsburg was third with 85 points, followed by Parsons (70), Coffeyville (59), Independence (30) and Fort Scott (16).
Grizzlies girls dominate
Four different girls won individual league titles at Thursday’s meet in Altamont.
Freshman Presley Witty won the 100m dash (12.13), 200m dash (25.58) and 100m hurdles (15.93).
“This was something I didn’t know until the weekend, but she set the SEK League record in the 100 and 200,” Wacker said. “Everybody was always talking to me when she was coming up through middle school. She’s got a passion and she’s got a high motor. These last few meets, she’s really been clicking at the right time. She set a PR without the wind at her back. It’s a new thing for me — I’m usually focused on distance. So I’m having to learn because of her.”
Landry O’Brien claimed a pair of league titles in the 400m dash (59.83) and 300m hurdles (50.84).
“Landry probably has the highest motor I’ve ever seen in any athlete,” Wacker said. “At league, I was scared about the Chanute team scaring us. So I asked a lot of Landry and put her in some events. But she rose up. She’s a competitor and tough enough to handle difficult situations and challenges.”
Anna Cantrell, a senior who was honored with the Dale Dennis Excellence in Education Award at Saturday’s graduation at Labette County, won league titles in the 800m run (2:31) and 1,600m run (5:43).
“It was nice for her,” Wacker said. “The start of her season didn’t go the way she wanted to. She was dealing with nagging pains and complications. She wasn’t practicing for over a week at the start of the season. There’s been some bumps on the road. You always worry about a senior going through all of that. But she’s stayed true to herself and true to her plans. Her legs got back to where they normally are at league.”
Labette County’s 4x800m relay team of Aubrey Boss, Kinsley Boss, Cantrell and Paige Johnston took first place with a time of 10:14.
Audrey Belknap, posting a PR, claimed the league crown in shot put with a mark of 34-0.
“That was probably one of my favorites at the meet to see Audrey win that,” Wacker said. “She hasn’t always been the big name, but she’s always been happy and has a positive vibe going with her. She’s had some hiccups this year, but she’s stayed positive. She threw a PR at league and ended up winning the thing. It was exciting to see her have that moment.”
Jackson wins a pair of titles
Labette County star sprinter Jamaal Jackson staked his claim as fastest man in the SEK League, winning titles in the 100m dash (10.88) and 200m dash (22.75).
“That’s the first day he did the 100m, 200m, 400m and 4x100m combo,” Argabright said. “He’s had that load before, but with prelims, that was a new challenge. I was really proud of him and his effort. He’s a special athlete and special runner for us. It’s fun to watch him and we hope he gets better and better.”
Another high-profile result for Labette County’s boys was Keegan Stritzke, who broke the school record in the discus with a toss of 164-6. He placed second at league, losing to Coffeyville’s J.J. McCutcheon by one inch.
“He’s been throwing well all season and it was great to see that record broken,” Argabright said. “He’s taken leaps and bounds this year. He’ll have a chance to make some noise at the state tournament this year.”
Three Vikings claim first
Ayanna Robertson, a freshman for Parsons, won a pair of SEK League titles in the long jump (16-11) and triple jump (35-8.5).
“We knew her potential,” Parsons head coach Wes Krull said. “She had a lot of varsity time in volleyball and basketball, and she’s maturing so much. She can handle big meets. She let loose and just jumped.”
Makai Baugh also earned two firstplace finishes in the long jump (22-0) and triple jump (45-1).
“I’m so proud of him,” Krull said. “He’s always competed very well and always has a chance. It was a goal of his to become a league champion. Honestly, he’s battled an injury all year. He just had a great week.”
Junior Braelyn Hinman-Mitchell took the mantle in the javelin, winning the title with a toss of 130-10.
“What makes me happy about Braelyn is the competitiveness she’s bringing,” Krull said. “She’s been going back and forth with the Pittsburg girl. She always has a rival in that event and she’s taking care of business.”
Up next
Both Parsons and Labette County head to the KSHSAA 4A Regional track meet in Louisburg on Thursday.
