West Central District Championships - Day One

Track Fans, 

 Action got started at the West Central District Championships on Thursday with some less-then-stellar conditions as rain poured on-and-off throughout the early evening. 

 Freshman Asher Ogden was our first state qualifier when he eked out a seventh place finish in the men's 110 hurdles. The only freshman or sophomore to qualify on to state in the hurdles, Ogden had to sit and wait as personal bests piled up around him; his time from the second heat was just enough to earn him his first berth to the State Championships. 

 Shortly after Ogden climbed the podium, Roz Slichko raced for four exciting laps in the women's 1600. The talented field raced as a large pack for most of the affair, and it was not until the last 150 meters that a group of seven runners emerged as they dashed to the finish line. Slichko matched Ogden's seventh place finish and both will represent the Jaguars at next week's State Championships in Tacoma.

 There were plenty of other great efforts in the conditions. Junior Jonah Mains secured a spot in the final of the men's discus, but fell a few feet short of qualifying on to state in his secondary event. Fellow junior Sophia Brown raced to another personal best in the women's 400, and will take the track on Saturday in the women's 4x400 meter relay. Another pair of juniors, Savannah Fickle and Sammie McGinty were late additions to the meet as alternates and both improved upon their seeded positions in their respective events, the shot put and high jump.

 We're excited for a day to dry off and warm-up as we prepare for another great day of the West Central District Championships at Sumner High School. Saturday will feature some of our premier events, and we are looking forward to punching another handful of tickets to the State Championships! 

 Thanks for your continued support of Emerald Ridge Track & Field! 

Bob Frey