Special to Colorado Runners by Mike Carr, throws coach, Buena Vista HS Track and Field...
The Bayfield boys and birls track teams took full advantage of their home track by winning the Class 3A Region 4 track meets at Bayfield Saturday on a warm and breezy spring day. The Bayfield boys outscored runner-up Buena Vista by 37 points with balanced scoring throughout the meet, led by strong performances in the pole vault, sprints, and relays. On the girls side, second-place finisher Salida finished 29 points behind a strong contingent from Bayfield. [Editor's note: see the link on the lower right-hand portion of the Colorado Runners front page to a Durango Herald article about this meet. The article features Bayfield coach Vernon Kimball, who took part in his final home meet as the coach of the Wolverines.]
One for the memories. Victorious Bayfield Wolverines gather around Coach Kimball for the last time on their home track. Photo courtesy of Mike Carr
On the boys' side, there were several double champions, led by Buena Vista’s standout thrower Mason Finley. Finley continued his stellar season by shattering his own state record in the discus by a full 20 feet. His final throw of 222’ 1” is not only a new Colorado state all-classification record, but is also the best high school throw in the entire nation so far this season (and the third best high school discus mark ever). He also won the shot put with a toss of 61’ 9”.Other double winners were Dakota Decker of Bayfield in the 100 and 200 and JaLoni Martinez of Monte Vista in the long and triple jumps. Bayfield and Buena Vista also both accomplished a rare feat, sending all four of their relay teams to the state meet in Pueblo next weekend.
Balance was the key word for the girls' meet on Saturday, with several schools getting outstanding performances from their young ladies. On the track, Lauren Policky (800) and Katie Dreher (400) from Salida, Patty Fryc (100) and Hannah Cooling (1600) from Buena Vista, and Lisa Wickman (200) and Jenny Young (100 hurdles) from Bayfield were joined by Karla Matzdorf (300 hurdles) and Jackie Harms (3200) from Pagosa Springs as individual champions. In the field events, senior thrower Kasey Becco from Florence won the shot put and placed second in the discus, while Sarah Vrudny and Chelsi Ball of Salida and Casie Ratzlaff from Monte Vista rounded out the top 3 in those events. Jacy Jacobson of Buena Vista topped a strong women’s high jump event, winning it with a height of 5’2”.
The top 3 finishers in each event will compete again next Friday and Saturday in Pueblo at Dutch Clark stadium for the Class 3A state championship. Congratulations to all these individuals and team on their great seasons!
