Shorthanded Coyotes capture four event wins

Injury, illness and other factors deprived Potter-Dix of several key point scorers. Entering Saturday's invitational at Pine Bluffs shorthanded proved a minor hindrance, however, as the Coyotes managed to  several podiums from the likes of Cheyenne Central and Rawlins.

Potter-Dix even registered four firsts. Kate Woten won the 3200 meter run in fine fashion. On the boy's side, Jake Johnson dominated the 800, Bryant Knigge challenged the meet pole vault record and the 4x400 team raced to a comfortable victory, despite a reshuffled lineup.

"We can throw so many good bodies into a relay," said Cooper Hicks, shrugging off the absence of several Coyotes while point out the team's depth. He took the opening leg for the first time, launching the 4x400 quartet on their way to a 3:42.35 finish. "Maybe we can go for the record at state."

Johnson led the 800 from the moment the pack churned its way onto the backstretch to the line, beating out Wyatt Berg of Burns by more than two seconds.

Running the "short" two-lapper was a new experience for the distance star. But coach Bob Hilpert and his assistants believe Johnson could take the district crown in this event, as well as the 1,600.

"If they believe it then I can do it," Johnson said. "There are always growing pains, but there is an opportunity."

Come districts, the additional points might just be enough to nudge Potter-Dix to the top.

At the pole vault station, Knigge had little trouble topping the opposition. He left Lingle-Fort Laramie's Ian Duncan and Wyatt Norman of Pine Bluffs behind at 11-06, cleared 12-0 and then took aim at a personal best and meet record.

"We thought 'why not?'" Knigge explained. "We had it won-we were going for whatever we could."

But 13-01 proved too much on Saturday, although the senior's form suggested the mark was achievable.

"I had confidence; I know I can do it," he said.

Knigge considered Pine Bluffs a warm up for the challenge looming on Tuesday at Best of the West. In two previous trips to the Scottsbluff event he failed to make height. This time he expects to put his name in the points.

"The goal is to clear the first height then go for placing," Knigge said.

Coby Hicks also finished in the top six in pole vault, covering 10-0. He was strong, as well, in the 110 hurdles (fourth) and the 300 hurdles (fifth). The Coyotes picked up points in high jump, as Cooper Hicks and Sam Bogert took third and fourth, respectively. And Cameron Purcell-a member of the 4x400 squad-almost chased down Duncan of Lingle-Ft. Laramie in a tightly contested 400 meter dash, crossing a close second.

"He had more of a kick at the end," Purcell pointed out. "But it felt pretty good."

Although he finished out of the points, Noah Nelson earned a spot in the long jump finals for the first time in his young career. He gave much of the credit to a new pair of bright neon shoes.

"They're like Oregon," he explained. "You don't see a slow Oregon player.

As for his seventh place finish, Nelson was more technical with his analysis: "I couldn't quite get my step down."

In the girls events, Woten picked up Potter-Dix's only gold, thanks to a crushing performance in the 3200. She crossed second in the 1600, just four ticks behind Cheyenne South's Karli Noble. In addition, she started the 4x800 relay team toward their 11:24.13 second place finish-a quick time in an odd two-team race.

"It's weird," she said of the near empty track. "I've done it before, but it's weird."

It was a strong performance by the Coyotes' girls, however. Kinley Vowers (200 dash, long jump), Tiffany Lewis (400 dash), Regyn Hicks (100 hurdles), Peyton Franklin (100 hurdles, pole vault) and all three relay teams earned points on the day, in addition to Ryley Hicks and Cortney Lewis.

Ryley Hicks set a personal best finishing second in the pole vault. She cleared 8-0 in a duel with Noble of Cheyenne South-a Coyotes nemesis.

"When you land on the mat it's like 'I finally made it,'" she said, referring to the personal record. "It felt good."

Hicks plans to attack the 9-0 mark by the time districts arrive.

Meanwhile Lewis won a battle with Pine Bluffs' Dana Mullins for third in shot put, denting the dust at 31-08, an inch ahead of the Hornets' thrower.

For Lewis, the toss represented a personal best.

"I just tried to throw, take my times," she explained. "I'm hoping for 32-or further."

Girls Team Scores

1. LFL 124

2. Cheyenne Central 89

3. Potter-Dix 71

4. Burns   64

5. Pine Bluffs 57

6. Rawlins 55

7. Cheyenne South 39

Boys Team Scores

1. LFL 129

2. Burns 98

3. Pine Bluffs 65

4. Potter-Dix 58

4. Rawlins 58

6. Cheyenne South 40

7. Cheyenne Central 39

8. Guernsey-Sunrise 23

9. Cheyenne Central B 8

10. Cheyenne South B 6