It was a busy but rewarding weekend in Anchorage for the Homer High School track and field team as they competed in the Big C Relays meet. With 27 athletes each competing in two to three events, there was plenty of opportunity for new athletes to get their feet wet and experienced athletes to improve.
“It’s a great first meet of the season for exposure for all of the athletes to track and field at large,” said Head Coach Bill Steyer. “I was very pleased in general with everyone this weekend. They all showed real improvement from the last two weeks of training.”
For the boys’ team, two freshmen seemed to come into their own during the meet. Jordan Beachy placed 22nd out of 58 competitors in the 3200-meter race with a time of 10:50.86. Denver Waclawski came in 33rd out of the same 58 competitors with a time of 11:24.96.
Another notable achievement for the boys’ team came during the 4×100 meter event with the Homer High School boys’ relay team placing 13th out of 23 teams overall with a time of 48.15. The Mariner team consisted of Connor Seay, Wyatt Harshfield, Jake Richter and Ted Croft.
In addition to his other team and individual events, Seay, who is a senior, had the honor of participating in the Big C Relays Alaska Airlines Pentathlon event. Students are invited to participate in this event based on their athletic performance, academic performance and their history of community service.
“To be in the pentathlon, you have to be strong in all five events,” said Steyer. “It’s a good balance of speed, strength, endurance and agility.”
Seay placed fifth out of the six athletes competing in the pentathlon.
The girls’ team also had a strong performance in Anchorage.
Crystal Crane came away from the meet with a career best time of 4-10.00 in the high jump, placing fifth out of 25 athletes. Lauren Evarts came in seventh overall with a time of 17.91 in the 100-meter hurdles, and Angie Cardoza placed 15th out of 80 athletes in the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.93.
The girls’ relay teams showed up strong with their 4×400 meter team placing sixth out of 21 teams and the 4×800 meter team placing 11th out of 21 teams.
Each year, the Homer High School track and field team looks forward to competing in the Big C Relays.
“It’s our first big meet of the year, and it’s always a good showing,” said Coach Steyer.
Competing against teams from across the state, the Big C Relays are a good chance for the Homer athletes to measure themselves against a wide range of competitors.
The next track and field meet is the Kenai Invitational, scheduled for April 24-April 25.
Aryn Young is a freelance writer for the Homer News.
2015 Track and Field Schedule
April 24-25: Kenai Invitational, away, TBA
May 1: Homer Invite, home, 2 p.m.
May 2: Homer Invite, home, 9 a.m.
May 8-9: Colony Invitational, away, TBA
May 16: KPBSD Boroughs, Soldotna, away, TBA
May 22-23: Regions, Kenai, away, TBA
May 29: State Championship, Dimond High School, away, 9 a.m.
May 30: State Championship, Dimond High
