Creek Valley makes a mark at Sutherland

Creek Valley's Mason Low set a new standard for himself in two events while Hannah Schievelbein erased an old mark of hers that had stood for two years at the Wallace Invite on Tuesday at Sutherland High School.

In the shot put Low finished second with a new lifetime best of of 44-05. Shortly thereafter he flung the discus 126-03 to medal in sixth place.

The secret of Low's success just might have been in his footwork.

"I was wearing some new throwing shoes," said Low. "Now I can actually spin the way I need to. I also got some help from the coach who's had me release the shot at a 45-degree angle."

By setting a new pair of lifetime marks, Low has been given a boost of confidence which has him believing he is on track to reach his most important goal this season.

"I'd like to go to state in shot and discus," said Low.

As for the junior Schievelbein, she has already been to state in the discus throw. By notching a new personal record, however, she now feels excited about her pursuit of another trip to Omaha.

As a freshman Schievelbein maxed out at 95 feet and hasn't managed to break that mark until Tuesday. Nevertheless, she still went to state in the event last season.

"It was really exciting to have a comeback of sorts from the 95 feet I threw freshman year," said Schievelbein. "Now I feel like I'm improving again and the work is paying off."

Schievelbein was less excited about Creek Valley's day in the shot put.

"Neither of us had a very good day," she said.

The other shot putter to which Schievelbein referred was Hannah Blackwelder. While Blackwelder medaled in sixth place with a throw of 30-04, it was the first time in four meets she failed to establish a new personal best.

"I threw over 35 feet in practice this week so I was expecting more," said Blackwelder who has a mark in competition of better than 33 feet. "Today I couldn't do anything."

Perhaps not being able to do anything was an overstatement for Blackwelder, who scored for the Storm in several events. She also medaled in the 100 meters and was part of the 4x100 meter relay team which finished a close second.

Others who registered for the Storm girls included Summer Mueller, Jerry Straber, Jessie Straber and Ashley Burr. In fact, these four teamed up to win the 4x400 meter relay. A close race with host Wallace turned into a near rout after Mueller out dueled her anchor-leg counterpart.

Stefanie Mitchell was one of three Creek Valley jumpers to score in the high jump.

Mueller also picked up a pair of silvers in individual events. She cleared 8 feet in the pole vault early in the day and later was runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles. Additionally, Mueller anchored the Storm's second-place finish in the 4x100 relay while partnering with Blackwelder and the Straber sisters.

Like Mueller, both Strabers ran a leg in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Jerry also took a third place in the triple jump and a fourth place in high jump. Meanwhile, Jessie had a strong day also with a third in long jump and a second in high jump.

Burr put in another solid performance in the field and on the track. For openers she continued her 2014 undefeated streak in the 800 meters. In the triple jump Burr's second-place finish was just 10 inches out of the top spot. She also ran the leadoff leg in the 4x400 win.

"I had to push my arms more because of the wind today," said Burr of her effort in the 800 meters. "I think with the form I'm in now I should be able to do a 2:28 this year."

The runners were battling a strong wind all day that smacked the competitors in their faces as they hit the first turn.

While Burr is a studious runner who routinely learns what she can about her competition, she was not able to find out much about Tuesday's 800 field.

"I'm usually very calm before a race but not knowing anybody else's time made me really nervous before today," said Burr. "I think the nerves just wasted more energy."

In addition to Low's big day, the boys cause was aided by a third place in the pole vault from Josh Schievelbein. Though the freshman wasn't overly excited with his performance, he's happy to be going in the right direction.

"I've never even cleared a height before today and their were only four vaulters in the race," said Schievelbein with a laugh. "But I enjoy the pole vault so I'm happy to be getting better."

The Storm's Keegan Michel, who has been a regular point earner this season, grabbed a sixth place in the high jump.

The Storm will be sending some qualifiers to the Best of the West meet in Scottsbluff next Tuesday. Creek Valley's next full-squad meet will be on May 3, when they host the MAC meet in Chappell.

Wallace Invite, Sutherland Results

Girls Individual Results

100 Meters

1. Jessica Lovitt, Mullen 13.30

6. Hannah Blackwelder, Creek Valley 14.90

200 Meters

1. Jessica Lovitt, Mullen 26.90

400 Meters

1. Jessica Lovitt, Mullen 1:04.30

800 Meters

1. Ashley Burr, Creek Valley 2:36.90

1,600 Meters

1. Elizabeth Cramer, Anselmo-Merna 5:54.40

100-Meter Hurdles

1. Traci Cooley, Mullen 17.20

300-Meter Hurdles

1. Traci Cooley, Mullen 49.00

2. Summer Mueller, Creek Valley 50.30

4x100 Relay

1. Mullen 55.20

2. Creek Valley 56.30

(Hannah Blackwelder, Jerry Straber, Jessie Straber, Summer Mueller)

4x400 Relay

1. Creek Valley 4:35.40

(Ashley Burr, Summer Mueller, Jerry Straber, Jessie Straber)

4x800 Relay

1. Stapleton-McPherson 11:15.30

Shot Put

1. Emma Holtz, Paxton 34-0.50

6. Hannah Blackwelder, Creek Valley 30-4.00

Discus

1. Megan Max, Anselmo-Merna 123-5.00

3. Hannah Schievelbein, Creek Valley 96-4.00

High Jump

1. Addy Vinton, Mullen 4-10

2. Jessie Straber, Creek Valley 4-08

4. Jerry Straber, Creek Valley 4-06

Pole Vault

1. Tiffany Hill, South Platte 8-06

2. Summer Mueller, Creek Valley 8-00

3. Natalie Christopherson, Creek Valley 7-06

Long Jump

1. Tami Myers, Anselmo-Merna 15-08.00

3. Jessie Straber, Creek Valley 14-00.50

Triple Jump

1. Tami Myers, Anselmo-Merna 32-11.75

2. Ashley Burr, Creek Valley 31-01.50

3. Jerry Straber, Creek Valley 29-08.00

Boys Individual Results

100 Meters

1. Kolton Carlyle, Paxton 11.10

200 Meters

1. Kolton Carlyle, Paxton 22.90

400 Meters

1. Kris Kopetzky, South Platte 53.80

800 Meters

1. Bryer Gerlach, Maywood 2:15.60

110-Meter Hurdles

1. Lance Moore, Mullen 15.60

300-Meter Hudles

1. Bailey McMillin, Mulllen 42.00

4x100 Relay

1. Paxton 44.80

4x400 Relay

1. Mullen 3:48.00

4x800 Relay

1. Wallace, 9:08.30

Shot Put

1. Tye Spies, Mulllen 44-10.00

2. Mason Low, Creek Valley 44-05.50

Discus

1. Landon Swedberg, Wallace 141-02.50

High Jump

1. Fowler Laramie, Stapleton-McPherson 5-10

6. Keegan Michel, Creek Valley 5-04

Pole Vault

1. Julius Dickmander, South Platte 12-00

3. Josh Schievelbein, Creek Valley 7-00

Long Jump

1. Austin Helmer, Arthur County 19-03.00

Triple Jump

1. Ryan Halouska, Anselmo Merna 40-00.50