Creek Valley squads manage several top-six finishes against larger schools

CHADRON – With a field rich in Class B and C teams, Creek Valley High had a solid opening to its 2015 track season at the Chadron Indoor High School Track Meet at Chadron State College on Saturday.

While the annual event does not record team scores or issue medals, the Storm managed to hold their own in a field rich with larger schools. Creek Valley had three top-six finishes in the girls and one top-six performance among the boys.

"This was a good start for us against some very good competition," said Storm head coach Bill Wilber. "I was pleased with a number of events including the boys' sprint relay, though it was a little longer than they're used to running."

Because of the length of the indoor track, the 4x100 relay was actually run as a 4x160 relay. The team of Dane McConnell, Cody Simmons, Cooper Riley and Roy Koech finished in 1:35.03. McConnell and Riley also finished in the middle of the pack in the 55-meter dash and 200 meters.

"It was nice to get your feet wet and get an opportunity to see where you're at," said McConnell, who also ran the 200 and 55 meters in addition to his leg in the sprint relay. "It's a weird track with it being so short but it's still a worthwhile meet."

McConnell also reported that he struggled with marks in the triple jump on his way to a leap of 32 feet, 2 inches.

"I have a lot of work to do, but at least now I have a better idea of what I need to work on," McConnell added.

In the middle distances, Simmons had a good opening run to his season after missing all of 2014 to injury. He finished 12th in the 400 in 1:01.90, with teammate Hunter Hendrickson two spots back in 14th (1:03.70). Hendrickson also ran the 800 and finished in 11th place in 2:34.76. Nash Leef was sixth in the 3,200 meters.

"Cody is going to do better in the 400," Wilber said. "Our sprinters are just getting going and there's some potential there."

In the boys' field events, William Payton threw 37-6 in the shot put to lead the Storm with a 17th-place finish in the field of 57.

After qualifying for state in the high jump as a freshman, Jessie Straber looked to be in good early-season form as she finished third in the high jump with a leap of 4-10. While she has dropped the long jump from her schedule this year, she tried the triple jump for the first time with great success. Straber finished third with a leap of 31-2.

"I'm pretty happy with the triple with this being my first year trying it," Straber said. "Two days ago, I did a 5-2 in the high jump during practice which is a good sign."

Freshman Payje Misegadis finished three places behind Straber in the long jump in sixth.

In the running events, Chandra Smith was the best over the short haul with a 55-meter time of 8.67. She was 12th in the 200 meters in 31.67. Sami Schmid topped Creek Valley in the mile.

The Storm girls' best finish on the track was the 4x160 relay team, which finished fourth in 1:43.40. The team included Straber, Allie Blackwelder, Misegadis and Hannah Blackwelder.

The Blackwelder sisters and Hannah Schievelbein all finished in the top 10 in the shot put in a field of more than 40.