BURLINGTON — Iola High’s track teams are still battling a numbers game. While both the boys and girls teams have been hampered by the injury bug, Tuesday’s participation at the Burlington Invitational Track Meet was held down because of schedule conflicts.
The IHS choir concert Tuesday prevented several girls from competing at the meet, head coach Marv Smith noted, “so we only took six girls, not enough to run any relays.”
The boys also were limited somewhat, but are rounding into form as the 2014 season hits the home stretch.
Among Iola’s highlights:
Michael Wilson set a personal record in winning the pole vault, clearing 12 feet, 3 inches, while Tyler Powelson won the 1600-meter run — one of four distance races in which he competed.
Adam Kauth showed just how slim the margin can be from winning — he lost the 300-meter intermediate hurdles by .05 seconds — and medaling. He finished .02 out of third in the 110-meter high hurdles.
“Adam was winning at the sixth hurdle, but the winds didn’t help us at all,” Smith said. “The wind really kept him from getting his timing down for the last few hurdles. But we aren’t going to worry about that. We’re just thrilled he’s back on the track competing for us.”
MEANWHILE, Yates Center’s squads continued to impress against several larger schools. Kal Hamm won the 110 hurdles, took second in the high jump and third in the 300 hurdles.
Dan Berg is optimistic his Wildcats will be back at or near full strength as “the best part” of the season arrives.
After nagging injuries have cut into Yates Center’s performances at mid-season, many performers returned Tuesday .
“We had a great day for both teams,” Berg said.
The Wildcat boys took fourth, while the girls finished 11th among 23 teams.
“I’m proud of all the girls,” Berg said. “With 23 teams, most of which are much larger than we are, finishing 11th is fantastic. Our boys team is much larger, but they also did a great job in a big, quality meet.”
SOUTHERN COFFEY County’s teams also ventured up U.S. 75 to Burlington, where senior standout Aaron True continues to impress.
